In an aviation industry first for Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Global has announced the successful maiden voyage of a seaplane operated by Fly Red Sea. This breakthrough seaplane company promises to revolutionise luxury travel within the Kingdom by providing exclusive air transport to the Red Sea’s pristine island resorts such as the St. Regis Red Sea Resort or the luxurious Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve.
John Pagano, the Group CEO of Red Sea Global and an avid pilot himself, enthused about the project, “Fly Red Sea embodies our commitment to unparalleled service, a minimal carbon footprint, and significant career prospects for the Saudi community. With this venture, we aim to redefine luxury air travel while staying true to our sustainability and community-focused vision.”
Delving into the specifics, Fly Red Sea boasts a sophisticated fleet of four Cessna Caravan 208 seaplanes, each fitted with sumptuous boutique interiors to ensure a lavish flight experience. Designed to comfortably transport a pilot and up to six guests with their luggage, the aircraft can also host up to nine individuals on scenic tours of the region. As testament to RSG’s confidence in the project, there are ambitious plans to expand the fleet to over 20 seaplanes by the dawn of 2030.
In line with RSG’s ethos, Fly Red Sea champions sustainable operations. Their seaplanes will be fuelled by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from inception. Additionally, the company is pioneering strides towards greener aviation with prospects of introducing fully electric seaplanes. A collaboration with ZeroAvia is in the offing, focusing on retrofitting Cessna Caravan Seaplanes with cutting-edge hydrogen-electric propulsion technology.
Another feather in RSG’s cap is its dedication to harnessing local expertise. Fly Red Sea boasts the distinction of having the first licensed Saudi seaplane captain, while the pioneering seaplane-specific engineers have also been onboarded.
A highlight of this venture is the bespoke seaplane infrastructure at the Red Sea International Airport. Serving as Fly Red Sea’s headquarters, the airport features a dedicated seaplane runway parallel to the main terminal, with plans for an exclusive seaplane terminal in the pipeline.
This year heralds the arrival of the first visitors to The Red Sea, an ambitious project set to redefine luxury tourism. Having received its initial flights a month ago, the Red Sea International Airport is bustling, with the inaugural hotels already accepting reservations. Once fully operational in 2030, visitors to The Red Sea can anticipate an unparalleled experience with 50 resorts, over 8,000 hotel rooms, and in excess of 1,000 residential properties sprawled across 22 islands and six prime inland locations. Moreover, they can indulge in a plethora of activities including luxury marinas, golf, entertainment, and a diverse array of dining and leisure options.
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Text by Gerard Lefebvre
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