Red Sea Global Launches Saudi Arabia’s Second Water Aerodrome

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has secured its second operating license for a water aerodrome, this time for Shebara resort at The Red Sea.

“This license is one of the final steppingstones toward opening Shebara to the world. Soon, guests will be arriving by seaplane to this iconic resort in anticipation of enjoying a truly peerless escape,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global.

“As owners of the Kingdom’s first seaplane airline and its only two water aerodromes up until now, we are firmly establishing ourselves as leaders within tourism and aviation.”

The aerodrome is located on Sheybarah Island, home to the iconic Shebara resort, which opens to guests in the coming month. Known for its distinctive stainless-steel orbs, Shebara will be the first resort at The Red Sea to be owned and operated by Red Sea Global. The island features a spectacular 30 to 40-meter reef drop-off close to the beach and guests arrive either by a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland or 20 minutes by seaplane.

His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, the President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), handed the license for the water aerodrome to RSG’s Group CEO John Pagano at The Red Sea destination. He stated that the license award forms part of GACA’s aviation transformation program to boost competition and investment in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda. The Saudi Aviation Strategy is driving unprecedented growth in Saudi aviation, supporting projects such as Red Sea Global’s with greater aviation infrastructure and connectivity. As the Kingdom’s aviation regulator, GACA is ensuring the highest levels of safety and quality across the sector, enabling Saudi to lead globally through aviation

HE Saleh AI-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of Saudi Arabia, was also in attendance.

Last year, RSG secured the first operating license for a water aerodrome in Saudi Arabia, at Ummahat Island. It has been servicing passengers to and from The St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, since they opened on the island earlier this year. More than 520 flights carrying more than 1,200 passengers were completed in the first half of the year on a fleet of Cessnas, and RSG expects to transport 3,800 passengers before the end of 2024.

In 2023 RSG also announced the launch of its subsidiary business Fly Red Sea, the Kingdom’s first seaplane company and water aerodrome operator. It was established to enable the transport of guests across the crystal-clear waters to The Red Sea’s island resorts. In future it will add connections to neighboring destinations and developments such as AMAALA and Al Wajh Airport.

The Red Sea welcomed its first guests last year, with three of its hotels now open. Shebara and Desert Rock will welcome first guests later this year, while Shura Island is on track to welcome guests in 2025. Red Sea International Airport has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September 2023 and international flights began in April 2024, with a twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International.

Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, F&B, and leisure facilities.