Saudi Arabia reveals Red Sea International Airport first look in drone video

Designed by British studio Foster + Partners, the airport’s development progress was shared by the developer Red Sea Global (RSG).

Red Sea International Airport: Desert-inspired design

Construction work on the Red Sea International Airport began in 2021, and is located 15 kilometers inland from the Red Sea coast.

The airport’s distinctive curved form and layout are intended to mirror the desert’s natural features, with five dune-like pods thoughtfully arranged around a central drop-off and pick-up area.

Projected to reach a capacity of accommodating one million passengers annually by 2030, the airport’s primary visitors will be tourists seeking to explore The Red Sea Project, a unique and expansive resort destination.

“The Red Sea International Airport has been envisaged as a gateway to one of the most unique resorts in the world and an integral part of the visitor experience. Inspired by the colors and textures of the desert landscape, the design seeks to create a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal and will become a transit hub for visitors coming in by both land and air,” Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners said.

The video shared by RSG also provides a glimpse into the wider tourist development efforts, which includes a distinctive ring-shaped hotel elevated on stilts and a resort harmoniously integrated within the desert’s sandy dunes, all designed by Foster + Partners.

Andrew Tyson, Head of Construction explained further by talking about the project’s “incredible progress” adding that numerous structures are already taking shape.

This monumental endeavour encompasses the construction of 50 resorts and over 1,000 residences spread across 22 islands and six inland sites.

The first three hotels within The Red Sea Project are on track to open their doors, coinciding with the inauguration of phase one of the international airport, which will soon begin servicing domestic flights.

Megaprojects transforming Saudi tourism landscape

The Red Sea Project is just one of several exciting tourist megaprojects underway in Saudi Arabia.

In the AlUla desert, French architect Jean Nouvel has designed a subterranean hotel, and architecture studio AW2 has envisioned a glamping resort.

Additionally, the nation’s ambitious Neom megaproject encompasses plans for the awe-inspiring megacity, The Line, designed by architects including Morphosis, and an innovative octagonal port city envisioned by Danish studio BIG.