The Saudi Arabian escalator market has changed drastically in line with the overall rapid urbanization and development plans of the country. The history of escalators in the Saudi Arabian market can be dated from the initiatives for modernizing infrastructure of the country, especially since the 1970s, when oil revenue allowed for extensive urban development. As more shopping malls and commercial complexes came up, along with infrastructural projects, demand for escalators started rising. It was also the time for overall significant growth in the market as it involved massive cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam in desperate need of effective ways of vertical transportation. The Saudi Arabia involvement in the escalator market is marked by the country's involvement in mega-projects such as Vision 2030. This project is a strategy to help the country diversify its economy and cut down on the level of dependence on oil. Included in this initiative is the building of smart cities like NEOM and other expansions of already-established urban areas, further increasing the demand for escalators and elevators. The government has come up with several initiatives that have, in one way or another, given shape to the market. For instance, the Saudi government has heavily invested in infrastructure development, including public transport systems like the Riyadh Metro, which contains several modern escalator systems that connect places and keep people on the move. Furthermore, the Saudi Building Code focuses on the safety and quality standards with regard to escalators and elevators, according to international norms. Some key players in the Saudi Arabian escalator market are Otis Elevator Company, KONE Corporation, Schindler Group, and Thyssenkrupp AG, among global giants. These companies have established a strong presence through local partnerships and by participating directly in major projects aimed at modernizing the country's infrastructure. According to the research report, "Saudi Arabia Escalator Market Research Report, 2029," published by Actual Market Research, the Saudi Arabia escalator market is anticipated to add to more than USD 320 Million by 2024–29. Saudi Arabia’s position as the center of Islamic pilgrimage significantly boosts the demand for escalators, particularly in Makkah and Madinah. With millions of pilgrims visiting annually for Hajj and Umrah, the expansion of the Grand Mosque and other religious sites requires escalators to manage large crowds efficiently. Escalators in hotels, malls, and public areas around these holy cities help improve mobility, particularly for elderly and disabled pilgrims. The continuous influx of pilgrims ensures steady escalator demand in public infrastructure and hospitality. The Saudi government’s efforts to diversify the economy have led to rapid growth in the retail and entertainment sectors. Shopping malls, cinemas, theme parks, and entertainment venues are proliferating across the kingdom. Projects like the Mall of Saudi and Diriyah Gate highlight the increasing demand for escalators, as these establishments need to facilitate smooth movement for large volumes of visitors. The entertainment industry, encouraged by Saudi Arabia’s social reforms, is also becoming a major driver of escalator installations. As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi government is heavily investing in healthcare and education. New hospitals, medical cities, universities, and research centers require escalators for accessibility and ease of movement. For example, King Abdullah Medical City and other medical complexes are key drivers of escalator demand. Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector, particularly religious and leisure tourism, necessitates the expansion of hotels and resorts. Luxury hotels in smart cities and religious hubs require advanced escalator systems to manage guest mobility efficiently. Saudi airports are undergoing massive expansions, such as the King Khalid International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport. These projects are fueling the need for escalators to handle increasing passenger traffic. Smart cities and green buildings, like those in NEOM and the Red Sea Project, require advanced escalators with energy-efficient and smart technologies, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision for sustainable urban development.
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Download SampleParallel escalators, which have two escalators running side by side (one going up and one going down), are the most common type. They are widely used in shopping malls, airports, and metro stations, making them the backbone of high-traffic areas where efficient mobility is needed. Their popularity in large commercial complexes and public transport hubs like the Riyadh Metro is due to their ability to handle large volumes of people efficiently and safely. Multi-parallel escalators involve more than two escalators operating parallel to each other, often seen in mega malls, airports, and large convention centers where extreme crowd management is required. With major retail developments like the Mall of Saudi, this segment is increasingly popular for large-scale projects, providing an efficient solution for managing high-density foot traffic. Walkways, or moving walkways, are horizontally moving conveyor systems, mainly found in airports, large retail complexes, and transit stations. In Saudi Arabia, walkways are highly utilized in airports like King Khalid International Airport, where they help passengers move quickly over long distances. They are also becoming more common in malls and shopping centers for ease of navigation across expansive floor areas. Other escalator types include custom designs used for specific applications, such as spiral or outdoor escalators. These are less common but are used in unique architectural settings or in outdoor spaces, such as open-air retail areas or entertainment complexes in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing entertainment sector. The commercial segment is the largest driver of escalator demand in Saudi Arabia, particularly in shopping malls, hotels, office buildings, and entertainment complexes. With the rise of mega retail developments like the Mall of Saudi and Kingdom Centre, escalators are essential for managing foot traffic and enhancing visitor convenience. As the country diversifies its economy and invests in leisure and hospitality under Vision 2030, the commercial sector continues to see strong growth in escalator installations. Malls and mixed-use developments are the most common places where escalators are heavily utilized within this segment. Public transit is a rapidly growing segment due to major infrastructure projects such as the Riyadh Metro and Haramain High-Speed Rail. Escalators in metro stations, airports, and train stations are essential for handling large numbers of passengers, offering efficient vertical transportation. As Saudi Arabia expands its public transport networks to reduce congestion and enhance urban mobility, this segment is seeing increasing investment. Escalators are most frequently used in metro stations, airports like King Abdulaziz International Airport, and railway stations in this vertical. Others segment includes escalator use in institutional buildings, healthcare facilities, and religious sites. Escalators are particularly vital in Makkah and Madinah, where they facilitate the movement of millions of pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah. Hospitals and universities also contribute to escalator demand, although these uses are more specialized compared to commercial and public transit segments. The New Installation segment dominates the escalator market, driven by Saudi Arabia’s rapid urban development, large-scale construction projects, and expanding public infrastructure. Mega projects such as NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and Riyadh Metro have created substantial demand for new escalator installations in commercial, public, and residential spaces. This segment benefits from the country’s efforts to modernize cities and boost tourism, particularly in new shopping malls, hotels, and public transport hubs. Companies like Otis, KONE, Schindler, and Thyssenkrupp are major players providing new installation solutions for these large-scale developments. Maintenance & Repair, as the number of installed escalators grows, the demand for Maintenance & Repair services is increasing. Regular maintenance is essential for ensuring escalator safety, longevity, and efficiency. Saudi Arabia’s high-traffic areas, particularly in malls, airports, and religious sites like Makkah and Madinah, require consistent maintenance services to manage heavy use. Companies such as Schindler and Mitsubishi Electric offer comprehensive maintenance packages to ensure optimal performance and compliance with safety standards. Other segment includes escalator modernization, upgrades, and retrofitting. With older escalators nearing the end of their operational life, modernization is gaining importance, particularly in older buildings and malls. Companies like KONE provide modernization services, replacing outdated components with advanced, energy-efficient technology to align with the country’s green building initiatives under Vision 2030.
COVID-19 impacts: The elevator and escalator business has been significantly damaged in recent years as a result of lockdowns implemented in Saudi Arabia due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in December 2019. The COVID-19 epidemic has hindered the construction industry's expansion in recent years, generating delays that can be ascribed to various damaged supply chains. The elevator and escalator manufacturers, as well as the overall construction industry, are expected to face a number of challenges as most commercial projects are likely to be left incomplete or delayed due to supply chain disruptions, cash flow constraints, workforce unavailability, and production shutdowns. The demand for elevators and escalators is expected to rise in the coming years as various governments of Saudi Arabia prepare to gradually lift the lockdowns. As the lockdowns progressively cease, the construction sector is expected to increase. As commercial developments resume throughout the world, demand for elevators and escalators is expected to rise in the upcoming years. Considered in this report • Geography: Saudi Arabia • Historic Year: 2018 • Base year: 2023 • Estimated year: 2024 • Forecast year: 2029 Aspects covered in this report • Saudi Arabia Elevator & Escalator Market with its value and forecast along with its segments • Application wise tire industry distribution • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation
By Type: • Parallel • Multi-parallel • Walkway • Others By Industrial Vertical: • Commercial • Public transit • Others By Solution: • New Installation • Maintenance & Repair • Others The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to elevator & escalator industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.
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