First international flights put a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s greenest airport

Nothing says “economic progress” quite like a new international airport. This is especially true for a country striving to fulfill its potential as a significant destination for overseas tourists.  

Last month, Red Sea International Airport on the western coast of Saudi Arabia was set to welcome its first regular scheduled commercial flight from outside the Kingdom. Flight FZ927 from Dubai is scheduled to operate a twice-weekly service to the nation’s emerging hub for regenerative tourism.

The launch of flydubai flights to and from RSI Airport marks a milestone in Red Sea Global’s efforts to help put the Kingdom on the global tourism map. But it does much more than that. The kick-off of international flights showcases RSI as the greenest airport in Saudi Arabia and positions it as a beacon of environmental sustainability in an industry better known for its emissions of greenhouse gases.

This issue is becoming increasingly urgent. The overall number of international tourists will rise by 15 percent this year compared to 2023, according to Skift, a travel industry news site. UN Tourism projects that total international tourist arrivals in 2024 will exceed the pre-COVID level of 2019 for the first time. Yet, a survey by Accenture showed that only 19 percent of companies in the travel industry are on track to achieve net zero by 2050.

Airports worldwide are exploring ways to consume less energy and curb their carbon footprint. A recent study by consultant Oliver Wyman highlights that lighting and cooling alone account for almost half of airports’ overall energy demand. Therefore, the use of sustainable construction materials during renovations or expansions is critically important.  

One example of such progress is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, which is constructing a zero-carbon electric central utility plant and upgrading its aging steam piping distribution system. These efforts are aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Additionally, many airports are installing solar panels as part of their initiatives to move closer to carbon neutrality.

From cooking oil to green hydrogen

Some airports, including RSI, are striving to enhance the availability of sustainable aviation fuel. While SAF is produced from feedstocks such as cooking oil and solid waste, ensuring an adequate supply to airlines at competitive prices remains a current challenge. More promising, perhaps, is the prospect that airports may produce green hydrogen to fuel airport vehicles and meet their own energy needs.  

In December, Germany’s Hamburg Airport became the 12th member of the international “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” network, which aircraft manufacturer Airbus set up to drive the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure in aviation.  

Governments are helping to nudge the aviation industry toward net zero. Last May, France passed a law banning domestic flights between cities that trains can reach in 2.5 hours or less. Although the ban applies to only three flights, it could affect more routes in the future as rail links improve.

RSI opened for domestic flights in October, and the start of international service marks an even bigger breakthrough. Visitors to RSI Airport will experience first-hand the future of Saudi tourism and global aviation. Upon arriving, they are a short ride away — by e-vehicle, boat, or seaplane — from the Six Senses Southern Dunes and St. Regis Red Sea Resort, not to forget the other one-of-a-kind hotels set to open at The Red Sea destination in the coming months.

Our seamless baggage-handling technology, currently in the testing phase, will ensure that arriving passengers won’t need to touch their bags until reaching their hotel rooms. This technology aims to minimize the time guests spend at the airport, eliminating the need to wait at luggage carousels. Later, upon departure, a smart check-in and baggage transfer facility will allow our guests to enjoy a similarly hands-free return trip to the airport.

An airport of pods, all powered by the sun

RSI embodies the same sustainability ethos as each of our resorts. Its innovative design includes features such as natural ventilation and shading areas to minimize the need for air conditioning. Moreover, its structure, resembling five mini-terminals or pods, enables the closure of areas during quieter periods to conserve energy.

The main terminal building and welcome center at arrivals will both be LEED Gold certified. Furthermore, the airport is situated within a destination that was the first in the Middle East to secure LEED Platinum for Cities in the ‘Plan & Design’ criteria. LEED for Cities is an internationally recognized urban sustainability rating system and certification program that offers third-party verification of the current performance of built-out cities and communities.

Our commitment to regenerative tourism will be evident from the moment arriving passengers step off their aircraft. Instead of entering the main terminal building through conventional air bridges, they will walk through lush, landscaped gardens that act as a thermal buffer between the building’s interior and the outdoors.

In fact, RSI is probably the only airport in the world that will run around the clock on 100 percent renewable energy. A few other airports, in India and the US, for example, can operate on renewables in daylight but must then draw power from a grid to operate at night. RSI is different. Once fully operational, it will be off the grid 24/7, like everything else at The Red Sea.

A recent surge in international visitors prompted the Saudi government to raise its 2030 target of welcoming 100 million tourists annually; as of last September, it’s now aiming for 150 million. As the Kingdom embraces the world, RSI Airport points the way to a more sustainable future for aviation here in the Middle East and beyond. 

• John Pagano is the Group CEO of Red Sea Global