The Red Sea is an incredible new destination taking shape just off the north western coastline of Saudi Arabia. Blending super prime residences, five-star resorts and an eco-conscious vision, this ambitious project by master developer Red Sea Global is a pioneer in regenerative tourism. Guided by the principles of ‘responsible development’, the destination will feature sustainable design throughout, aimed at not just preserving the natural environment, but enriching it for future generations.
Tourism is an integral component of the project, which will see the delivery of 50 resorts by 2030 helmed by acclaimed hospitality brands. Five of these resorts are already operational as of 2023, with a further 11 set to open by the end of 2025. The supporting infrastructure for the project includes its own airport, aptly known as Red Sea International Airport, which provides a seamless connection point for travellers from every corner of the world.
Bridge Between East and West
Red Sea International Airport (RSI) was launched shortly after the Red Sea project itself, and like all of its various components, it was designed with a sustainable blueprint. The airport is situated roughly 20 kilometres inland from the coastline and is linked via land bridge to Shura Island, which is the focal point of the Red Sea destination. An exclusively commissioned fleet of Lucid Air electric vehicles provides ground transportation from the airport to Shura Island and inland sites. The other islands are only accessible by yacht or seaplane, and RSI has a dedicated water runway to accommodate the latter.
The airport welcomed its first commercial flight in September 2023 and its first international flight a few short months later, in March 2024. Direct flights are offered from Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai, with a few major European cities being considered as part of the next phase of growth. Boasting a central location on the globe that places 80% of the world’s population within an 8-hour flight, RSI is poised to become one of the region’s most significant transportation hubs.
A Reflection of its Environment
Globally renowned architecture firm Foster + Partners was awarded the contract for designing the airport. The firm is also involved in the design of key residential projects on the islands, which lends all of the architecture a visual harmony. Elements of the desert and the sea were used as the design inspiration for the airport, which features sweeping dunelike curves and a palette that is primarily composed of earthy browns and verdant greens. When viewed from above, it resembles a flower blossoming out from the sands, greeting all visitors with a memorable sight.
The terminal is designed to offer the ambiance and experience of a private aircraft terminal, with five strategically placed departure ‘pods’ that fan out like petals from the main hub. At the heart of the airport is a beautiful garden featuring local flora, which adds a tranquil resort-like atmosphere.
Seamless Visitor Experience
Arrivals and departures at RSI offer different experiences that align with a visitor’s journey. Arrival is all about speed, with innovative solutions like remote check-in and smart luggage to minimise the time between landing and heading out to the Red Sea destination. Security and immigration processes have been streamlined, and visitors can have their bags sent directly to the resort they’ll be staying in.
Departure is generally a longer process with variable wait times, but the terminal is designed to make the experience peaceful. Departing visitors are dropped off directly to one of the terminal pods, where they will find spas, restaurants, and other options to ease the wait for their flights. Smart luggage solutions are implemented here too, with bags checked in at each resort and then transported to the airport directly.
The Future of Air Travel is Sustainable
RSI goes beyond its function as an airport servicing visitors to The Red Sea and is an extension of the resort experience itself. Sustainability is one of the core elements of the airport, mirroring the ethos of Red Sea Global and its commitment to responsible development. Traffic will be capped to 1 million visitors per year in order to safeguard the environment from overtourism.
The design of RSI incorporates the natural desert landscape and the airport is 100% powered by renewable energy from the largest solar farm in Saudi Arabia. It is also the first airport in the country to be equipped with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is used in all of its seaplanes.
Through smart initiatives and eco-conscious design, Red Sea International Airport is setting new standards for the aviation industry. As The Red Sea continues to develop and grow, the full impact of RSI’s unique approach will set a new template for other global airports to follow.
