Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
Reviewed for: FS2024 (native version)
Add-ons: FS Traffic, GSX Pro
My first Azrsim airport was Baku, with which I was largely disappointed (at least until they dropped a substantial update). Riyadh v3 is earlier than Baku but has had numerous quality of life updates since initial release, so I thought I would take advantage of the current Azrsim sale and buy myself a copy…
DETAIL
TL;DR: I’m currently having a bit of a love/hate relationship with this scenery (something I’m sure I also said in my Baku review)!
There are so many things that are very well done, but they’re juxtaposed with elements that have been shoddily finished.
My first arrival was a quick hop in the Fenix A320 (Saudi livery, of course) from Vertex’s Dammam — an airport I consider the best available for Saudi Arabia so far. I’m surprised how good the Saudi landscape looks in the sim, however there are some very mismatched areas about halfway between the two cities.
The airport looked pretty decent while on finals and I touched down around midday on RWY33L. Exiting the runway and taxiing (seemingly forever!) to stand, I noted some very average ground textures. Not terrible, but I’ve seen better in 2025/26 — the resolution perhaps isn’t as high as it could be but the markings are satisfactory, and there seems to be a full complement of taxiway signage. Once I’d arrived on stand (after what felt like an hour’s taxi — by area, this is one of the biggest airports in the world), I exchanged the cockpit for the drone cam and began exploring.
It really is a vast airfield, with so many different aprons that in some cases are miles apart. The main terminal complex comprises the central area, and includes three passenger terminals, one of which is VIP. In all fairness, when viewed from the ramp, they look great (except at night, when the glass reveals that it could do with a little more opacity). The modelling and texturing is excellent, if not a touch clean-looking. Of particular note are the custom airbridges (or jetways, to American readers), which are among the most detailed I’ve ever seen. Two issues, however: a real lack of ground clutter (which Baku offers. There’s a bit here but it’s entirely default), and no passengers anywhere. Good modelling is soon undone if there’s no hustle and bustle to support it.
The terminal interiors aren’t complete but the areas seen from a pilot’s perspective are done nicely enough. The various landside concourses are modelled — there’s just nothing in them, so any attempt to explore them is a pointless and boring exercise. The terminals’ outdoor landsides are horrific, to be honest: decent modelling sitting awkwardly atop default ground imagery that’s not in any way been modified, or at least tidied. There are a few modelled buildings (such as what looks like a mosque and its minaret) and plenty of custom trees but the latter look like they were lifted from FS98. It’s the same tree models, copied and pasted in straight lines for miles. Not a single barrier, bollard, signpost, taxi, bus or custom road in sight — just generic-looking palms and a handful of Asobo cars placed randomly. I get that an airport of this size might typically sacrifice some landside assets but this is taking that idea a bit too far.
Thankfully, the more outlying areas of this sprawling facility haven’t been ignored and there’s some good modelling out in the peripheries — albeit again sitting very awkwardly on top of default ground imagery. There’s one apron that cuts through satellite images of planes and it just looks terrible. Quite why any dev wouldn’t make an attempt to address this, I’ve no idea, and it’s just as problematic at Baku (admittedly on a smaller scale).
Night-lighting is a strength and apart from the mild terminal glass opacity issue, is very good. The dev has used different hues for different lighting methods and that always increases immersion, if you ask me. The huge rectangular gantries housing the apron floodlights have been excellently modelled. There are some less convincing effects in other areas of the airfield but they’re not overly noticeable.
The airport is surrounded by a custom perimeter fence (yay!) but I haven’t checked it all the way around as to do so would take weeks, given the airport’s size!
My final couple of criticisms are related to AI traffic (I use BATC). Firstly, the vast majority of parked airliners are on remote stands, with literally only 2-3 at the terminal gates. Secondly, aircraft arrive then disappear on rollout (certainly on RWY33L). I’m not 100% sure if these are scenery or BATC issues but I suspect the former (usually happens when the dev has incorrectly set parking radii and taxi paths).
PERFORMANCE
I read a few early reviews that complained about performance when the main terminals are in the frame. I’m not noticing any issues but the terminal is well detailed so lower-spec machines may well struggle. But the level of detail elsewhere isn’t exactly impressive so I wouldn’t expect to encounter problems with performance on my system. This might be an unusually large airport but it’s literally in the middle of the desert!
VERDICT
There are bits to like about OERK… and bits to very much dislike. The terminal looks fantastic but it really would benefit from a lot more apron clutter, and a few pax inside. The basics are here for a good airport but the satellite ground imagery is far too intrusive, including in key places like terminal outdoor landsides. They just look a mess and feel completely bare.
If you’re the sort of pilot who sticks to airside areas, I dare say you’ll be (more than?) satisfied with this airport. It’s certainly not all bad. But it feels rushed, and as though an opportunity has been missed (bear in mind this scenery’s in its third iteration now). It’s also not the cheapest airport out there, although I don’t think it’s a bad buy at the current offer price.
The dev was very responsive when I contacted him about Baku’s shortfalls, and on the back of this review, I plan to prepare another email. To be fair, Baku is better, but that might be because it’s a much smaller airport. Re OERK, If he can tidy up some of the satellite imagery (particularly in more prominent locations), spruce up the terminal outdoor landsides and fix the AI traffic problems, this might even be worth the full asking price. But until such time, I can only recommend it when it’s discounted.
Having said all that, there are few devs willing to make Saudi airports (the only other one is Tuwaiq, since Vertex have only produced one) so I’d urge prospective buyers to consider where in the world Riyadh is. Official data is likely hard to come by, as suggested by some of the poor and mismatched ground tiles visible on the journey between Dammam and Riyadh (if Asobo struggle, I don’t fancy anyone else’s chances). I certainly don’t regret buying this scenery — it’s perfectly usable and even quite enjoyable if you don’t go snooping beyond the airside — and it’s a great companion for Vertex Dammam, Tuwaiq’s Saudi collection and the three IniBuilds Gulf airports. There’s even a Riyadh city pack (by Tuwaiq) that looks pretty decent, and based on my first arrival into OERK, you seem to often circle much of the city centre when approaching.
IMAGES
To follow (if anyone wants to see any?)…