The subsidiary of daa will oversee commercial activities at the new airport in Saudi Arabia

Daa International will operate Saudi Arabia’s new Red Sea International Airport.

The company, a subsidiary of Aer Rianta International’s parent company daa, will also oversee commercial activities at the site. The new airport is set to open next year on the west coast of Saudi Arabia as part of a “new luxury tourism destination”.

The announcement represents an expansion for daa International in the region as the company has operated Terminal 5 at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport since its opening in 2016.

“The Red Sea Project is an amazing development and we are thrilled to be playing a major part in it by becoming the operator of the new airport,” said daa International Chief Executive Nick Cole.

“The Red Sea International Airport will become a fundamental part of each visitor’s journey to this unique destination, and we believe their holiday experience should start from the moment they land.

“We intend to deliver a seamless airport experience for passengers, underpinned by a commitment to achieving the development company’s stringent sustainability goals.”

Alongside the commercial offer, daa International will also oversee airfield and terminal operations at the sire, along with aviation services, facilities management and corporate and financial services.

Red Sea International Airport will have the capacity to serve 1 million passengers annually once it is fully operational in 2030. The site will be powered by 100% new renewable energy and its capacity is limited based on the environmental carrying capacity of the Red Sea development which it serves.

The design of the airport takes cues from the local area, with roof shells inspired by desert dunes and an internal green oasis crafted to create a “resort-like atmosphere” in the terminal.

“Daa International was selected because we are confident that they can deliver not only an airport experience worthy of our luxury destination but for their commitment to ensuring our sustainability goals are met,” said John Pagano, Chief Executive of The Red Sea Development Company, which is behind the new development.

“Our state-of-the-art airport will provide a unique gateway for guests arriving at our destination, and this announcement is an important step in bringing the experience to life, ahead of welcoming visitors by the end of 2022.”