From streamlining passenger screening to enhancing threat detection, AI is transforming the way airports operate, and Saudi Arabia is embracing this shift. In recent initiatives under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in AI to support its growing aviation infrastructure. With plans to open 59 new airports by 2030 and handle over 300 million passengers annually, AI adoption is no longer a future investment - it's an urgent necessity where security will need to be smarter, faster, and more scalable than ever before.
But how ready are Saudi airports to adopt these innovations? In this blog, we examine how AI-powered security is helping airport security teams streamline operations, improve situational awareness, and future-proof their infrastructure against evolving threats.
Traditional security systems, while foundational, are no longer enough. The next generation of airport safety relies on AI-enabled security solutions that can detect, analyze, and respond to threats in real-time. From video analytics to predictive maintenance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming security from a reactive necessity into a proactive asset.
Saudi Arabia has become one of the leading adopters of AI technology in the Middle East, with over 240 AI-driven companies operating across sectors. In aviation, AI is already being applied in areas such as predictive maintenance, biometric boarding, and smart air traffic control; but nowhere is the impact more immediate and measurable than in airport security.
In 2024 alone, airports in the Kingdom welcomed more than 128 million passengers, putting increased pressure on existing security frameworks. As terminals expand and threats become more sophisticated, security teams require tools that go beyond human monitoring and static responses. AI offers a scalable solution that enhances every layer of the security ecosystem, from terminals and tarmacs to baggage halls and control rooms.
One of the most transformative applications of AI in security is within video management systems (VMS). Traditional surveillance systems rely on human operators to monitor hundreds of live feeds and manual investigation, an overwhelming task that can lead to missed cues and delayed responses.
AI-powered video analytics, however, change the game entirely, these systems can detect:
/ Loitering or crowding in sensitive areas.
/ Unattended bags or vehicles.
/ Unauthorized access attempts to restricted zones.
/ Unusual behavior patterns indicating potential threats.
These detections are generated in real-time and sent as intelligent alerts to centralized command centers, enabling operators to verify and respond immediately, without needing to sift through hours of footage manually.
This kind of automation doesn’t just reduce operator fatigue, it significantly improves situational awareness, allowing security teams to act faster, with better information, and with a higher degree of confidence.
Beyond video analytics, AI is proving valuable in predictive threat assessment. By analyzing historical data. combined with live system inputs, AI platforms can identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
For instance, if a particular staff access point sees repeated access attempts at odd hours, or if movement patterns near the perimeter suggest reconnaissance activity, the system can flag it for immediate investigation. Over time, these insights help airports shift from reactive monitoring to predictive security posturing.
This is particularly critical for insider threats, perimeter breaches, or coordinated intrusions, scenarios where prevention, not just detection, is key.
Another area where AI is bringing significant ROI is in operational deployment. AI tools can monitor terminal traffic, congestion levels, or staffing gaps, and recommend real-time changes.
This helps security managers better allocate patrol teams, open or close checkpoints dynamically, and redirect passenger flows during peak hours. The result is more efficient operations, optimized staffing, and a smoother passenger experience, all while maintaining a strong security presence.
This is essential in high-volume airports like Riyadh, Jeddah, and the upcoming King Salman International Airport, which are expected to handle tens of millions of passengers annually.
AI-enabled platforms often include automated reporting and event tracking, which makes compliance with regulatory frameworks like GACA and ICAO more seamless.
In case of an incident, security teams can quickly retrieve video footage, access logs, and alert history, complete with AI-generated context, reducing investigation times and audit preparation. Many airports that have implemented integrated AI security systems report incident response times improving by up to 50%, with a notable drop in false alarms and manual workload.
While the benefits are clear, deploying AI across airport security infrastructure must be approached strategically.
First, system interoperability is key: AI tools must integrate with existing security infrastructure, video management systems, access control platforms, and emergency communication tools, without creating new silos.
Second, cybersecurity safeguards must be in place: AI platforms that process sensitive data (such as facial recognition or access history) must adhere to local data protection laws and international cybersecurity standards.
Finally, training and enablement is critical: AI is not a replacement for human expertise, it’s a powerful enhancement. Control room operators, IT administrators, and security staff must be trained to interpret AI insights, verify alerts, and respond according to standard procedures.
At Convergint MEA, we help airport authorities build AI-enabled security strategies while ensuring integration is non-disruptive, scalable, and locally compliant.