Red Sea Global (RSG) is paving the way for regenerative tourism in The Red Sea and AMAALA, with the announcement of the inaugural international flight to Red Sea International Airport (RSI). Operated by flydubai, the flight from Dubai International (DXB) is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, marking the start of a new twice-weekly route to The Red Sea destination. Since September 2023, RSI has catered to domestic flights operated by Saudia, but with the addition of flydubai, the airport will now see eight flights per week.

John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “RSI is strategically positioned within a three-hour flight radius of 250 million individuals, poised to welcome one million guests annually at full capacity. Our inaugural flight just six months ago was the beginning of our journey towards this objective, and the launch of our first international flight is another significant step towards establishing Saudi Arabia as a premier global tourism destination. We eagerly anticipate welcoming visitors from the UAE, the broader Middle East, and beyond.”

Pagano also stressed the importance of RSI in facilitating connectivity for employees, partners, and the local community. The airport, designed to streamline access for guests traveling to The Red Sea, currently hosts two luxury resorts: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort, which recently welcomed renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his family.

Three additional resorts are set to debut this year, including Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – one of only seven worldwide – Shebara, featuring remarkable overwater stainless steel villas, and Desert Rock, a stunning resort nestled amidst mountains.

Michael White, CCO of Red Sea International Airport, expressed excitement about the arrival of international travellers, marking a significant progression in RSI’s evolution. White emphasized the airport’s commitment to providing exceptional services to passengers and airlines alike, with plans to expand the network further to cater to The Red Sea and travellers worldwide.

RSI is on track to become the first carbon-neutral airport in the Middle East, implementing innovative sustainability measures across all operations. Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent, and Africa) at flydubai, noted the carrier’s pride in being the first to operate to Red Sea International from the UAE, providing passengers direct access to Saudi Arabia’s resorts at The Red Sea destination.

Upon full completion by 2030, The Red Sea will feature 50 resorts offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also boast luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues, F&B outlets, and leisure facilities, all powered off-grid through five solar farms containing 760,000 panels and one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities.