Darin Airport, also known as Dareen Airport () was a military airport in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It was established around 1911 during World War I. It is considered to be the oldest and first airport in Saudi Arabia. Weekly flights once operated between Darin Airport and Qudaibiya Airport in Manama. The airport ceased operations in 1932 and was abandoned in 1939, leaving only a fuel storage room, isolated from the building and the runway, which was located 600 meters from the coastline.
History In August 1921, multiple aircraft were ordered and arrived at Jeddah from Italy and Egypt for the establishment of the Hejaz Air Force. Subsequently, a military airfield was established in Darin and Jeddah , with landing grounds at Riyadh and Taif.Saqer-Aljazirah Aviation Museum When king Abdulaziz (may God has mercy on him) acquired DH9 aircraft in 1344AH/1925AD he realized the importance of the air force and the leverage it brings to battles. His majesty was dedicated to enhance this capability by establishing the first military air force and was named an impact (Najd Hijaz Air Force). As a first phase, His Majesty ordered the establishment of two air bases, in Qatif and Jeddah as well as establishing airports Riyadh and Western Region. The first hands-on experience with aviation came when the Saudi government established a flight school on Darin Airport in 1929 and acquired four British-made Westland Wapiti Mark II aircraft. However, the project faced challenges, including technical difficulties with maintenance and spare parts. Consequently, the school and its four aircraft were relocated to Jeddah Airport on September 15, 1930.
Closure Darin Airport was abandoned in 1939. Around 1963, remaining aircraft and ammunition stored at the airport were removed. The remnants of Darin Airport were visible until 1970 when the site was cleared by the Tarout Municipality.قطيف وملحقاتها أبعاد وتطلعات، تأليف الشيخ عبد العظيم المشيخص، الطبعة الأولى 2002م، منشورات شركة الشيخ للتحقيق والنشر، بيروت – لبنان، جـ1/ 374. Today, only the fuel storage room remains and the site is designated as historical landmark.
Layout The airport originally consisted of three small rectangular rooms, two of which were adjacent. These rooms were built using mud, marine stones, and clay. Nearby, on the western side, stood a wooden pole called "Bandira," equipped with a kerosene lantern suspended by ropes to guide aircraft at night. The Bandira, set in a stone and mud marine base, was located over 100 meters west of the airport rooms and stood 20 meters tall. It was removed by the Tarout Municipality in 1970. A third, more remote room was situated northwest of the Bandira. This room, still standing today, recently contained disassembled parts of an old aircraft stored inside.
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