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Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ/OEGS) serves Saudi Arabia's Qassim region, with its terminal located about 25 km west of Buraydah. Formerly known as Qassim Regional Airport, it was renamed in honor of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz and now handles domestic and international flights across the Gulf, Middle East, and beyond. It is a key gateway for the agricultural heartland of Saudi Arabia, especially for travelers visiting Buraydah and Unaizah.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors time their trips around the Qassim date harvest (roughly August–September) to buy Sukkari and other local dates, and they arrive early during Eid and Hajj seasons because the compact terminal can get busy quickly.
🚖 Getting There
Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem are the most practical ways to reach Buraydah and Unaizah; there is no passenger rail link at the airport. Allow 25–35 minutes to Buraydah and 35–45 minutes to Unaizah, and pre-arrange a ride if arriving late at night. Rental car counters are available at the terminal for travelers planning to explore the Qassim region.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the airport code for Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport?
A: The IATA code is ELQ and the ICAO code is OEGS.
Q: How far is the airport from Buraydah?
A: It is roughly 25–30 km west of central Buraydah, typically a 25–35 minute drive depending on traffic.
Q: Which airlines operate at ELQ?
A: Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, and other regional carriers operate domestic flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, plus international services to destinations in the Gulf and Middle East.
Q: Does the airport have international flights?
A: Yes, ELQ has international service, though schedules vary by season; check with airlines for current routes to Gulf and Middle East destinations.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 28, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash