The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has selected Dublin-based daa International as the operator at Red Sea International (RSI), which is on track to become the region’s first-ever carbon-neutral airport.
The $266 million (1 billion Saudi riyals) worth agreement covers operations and general maintenance services, the developer of the Red Sea and Amaala mega projects said in a statement.
daa International will oversee design consultancy, management, and operations in line with the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
According to the statement, “TRSDC and daa International are working together towards ACI Europe’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program to secure the highest current standard Level 4+, which would make RSI the first new airport to ever secure this standard before operations commence.”
John Pagano CEO – TRSDC
“Ahead of welcoming our first guests early next year, Red Sea International is ushering in a carbon-neutral, net-zero era for airport designs and operations. As the region’s first-ever airport powered by 100 percent renewable energy, RSI will serve as an innovative blueprint for decarbonized urban destinations of the future. Our agreement with leading industry player daa International, with a proven track record of excelling in international aviation, marks our latest step towards materializing a sustainable, regenerative gateway that will open this under-explored region of Saudi Arabia to the world.”
Mr. Nicholas Cole, the CEO of daa International, said that “the Red Sea International airport is primed to deliver luxury guest experiences unlike any other. We are thrilled to partner with TSRDC to bring to life a seamless, ultra-premium, highly personalized experience for each passenger traveling through this unique gateway, underpinned by stringent sustainability goals.”
The project is on track to welcome its first passengers in 2023 and will have the capacity to serve an estimated one million domestic and international tourists per year by 2030, TRSDC said.
Further, the company added that “the airport would also service hydrogen-powered seaplane variants, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), and electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft technology.”
