Jeddah: The aquarium at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah offers travelers a distinctive visual experience inspired by the Red Sea's marine environment, serving as one of the airport's prominent aesthetic features and adding an environmental and tourism dimension to the travel experience through the Kingdom's western gateway.
According to Saudi Press Agency, standing 14 meters high and measuring 10.2 meters in diameter, the aquarium is the world's largest of its kind located within an airport. It holds approximately one million liters of water, while its 300-millimeter-thick glass walls reflect the advanced engineering and operational solutions used in its construction.
The aquarium houses nearly 2,000 marine creatures representing around 65 of the most prominent Red Sea fish species, in addition to coral reefs and rare fish. Together, they offer travelers a window into the rich biodiversity of Jeddah's coastline and the Red Sea, highlighting the region's distinctive marine environment.
Its operation relies on an integrated system designed to maintain the quality and sustainability of the aquatic environment. The system includes four reservoirs beneath the main tank to support water circulation and maintenance, as well as three quarantine systems used to isolate newly introduced fish in separate tanks until they acclimatize to the aquatic environment before being transferred to the main aquarium.
The exhibit's lighting system simulates the natural day-and-night cycle through 26 lights, providing appropriate environmental conditions for marine life while enhancing the visual experience for travelers throughout the day and night.
The aquarium represents a distinctive component of the traveler experience at King Abdulaziz International Airport, bringing together architectural and engineering design with marine biodiversity. It offers visitors an immersive glimpse into the richness of the Red Sea while reinforcing Jeddah's longstanding connection with the sea and its identity as a leading tourism and logistics hub on the coast.