A huge £190.8 million airport is set to connect the Middle East, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goals to become a global tourism hub.
The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) is a key component of the Red Sea Project, a vast tourism development tied to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and attract international visitors.
Located on Saudi Arabia’s west coast about nine miles from the sea, it will act as a gateway to new tourism developments in Red Sea destinations, including 50 resorts and over 1,000 residential units.
Upon completion of the entire Red Sea Project by 2030, the airport with six runways is projected to handle one million passengers annually, with a peak capacity of 900 passengers per hour.
Surrounded by the desert, the design of its master plan, which extends over 16 sq miles, features five dune-like departure pods arranged around a central drop-off area, alongside three helipads and a seaplane runway.
The terminal itself is designed to offer a serene, resort-like atmosphere, with a lush green oasis garden providing a calm and relaxing environment for passengers.
The five departure pods each offer distinct facilities ranging from health resorts to restaurants, and each one is designed to function independently to allow sections to be closed during low season, conserving energy.
The airport terminals will reportedly entirely be powered by renewable energy sources, and measures such as shaded areas and natural ventilation are incorporated to reduce reliance on air conditioning.
The project was initiated by Red Sea Global, a real estate development company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and chaired by HRH Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The first flight landed in September 2023 when it exclusively catered to domestic flights connecting Riyadh and subsequently Jeddah, but flights now also go to Dubai.