Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has awarded a major contract to Reem Emirates Saudi for the construction of the façade and roof shell of Red Sea International (RSI) airport’s landside facilities.

The new Red Sea airport is being designed to include shaded areas and natural ventilation that minimise reliance on air-conditioning. It will feature five mini-terminals, which allow areas to be closed during slower activity periods, curbing the need for air-conditioning all sections and thus wastage of energy.

Announcing the new contracts, Group CEO John Pagano said: “Red Sea International will set new standards in sustainable aviation, and the ongoing construction works are a critical part of building that legacy. This requires experienced partners who share our vision for doing things better.

“Not only is the airport sustainably designed, but aesthetically it takes inspiration from the forms of the surrounding desert, the green oasis and the sea. The roof shell, which Reem Emirates Saudi will deliver, typifies this, with dune-like pods radiating out from the centre, providing an arresting welcome as guests first arrive to The Red Sea from above.”

At the same time, the entire airport will be run using renewable energy, supporting RSG’s ambition to usher in a carbon-neutral, net-zero era for airport designs and operations, he added.

Under this deal, Reem Emirates Saudi will adopt innovative, energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions throughout the facade design, structural engineering, manufacturing, and installation, aligned with industry-leading Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications.

“Our partnership with RSG marks the start of an exciting chapter in revolutionising airport offerings, while closely aligning with the strategic goals of Vision 2030,” remarked Engineer Naser Al Marzooqi, the General Manager at Reem Emirates Saudi. “We are excited to bring our in-depth knowledge and local expertise to the project and hope to see such world-class standards of sustainable airports become more widespread throughout the region.”

RSI is a uniquely regenerative airport, designed by international architecture firm Foster + Partners to provide an unforgettable aviation experience.

The project is on track to welcome its first passengers in 2023, with capabilities to serve an estimated one million domestic and international tourists per year by 2030 – at a peak of 900 travellers per hour.