Red Sea Global pioneers Sustainable...

SAF will be available for all flights at Red Sea International Airport, reducing emissions by 35%

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala in Saudi Arabia, is pioneering the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the kingdom.

RSG and daa International, the operator of The Red Sea International Airport (RSI), have agreed a deal with fuel supplier Arabian Petroleum Supply company (APSCO) to allow flights the option of refuelling with SAF.

Current international standards require SAF to be blended with standard Jet A1 aviation fuel. RSI’s SAF supply is blended at 35% SAF and 65% standard Jet A1, reducing the carbon emissions from each aircraft by up to 35%.

The move aligns with the regenerative tourism ethos of RSG which aims to have a positive impact on the natural environment, and with growing consumer demand for more eco-friendly travel.

SAF and Lower-Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with aviation. SAF can be made from clean hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, or renewable or waste aviation fuels.

Fly Red Sea, the seaplane company owned by RSG that provides transfer, charter and scenic tour services, is fuelled exclusively with SAF and LCAF.

John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global said that by bringing SAF into Saudi, RSG is not only "dramatically reducing" guests' personal carbon footprint, but also supporting the wider aviation sector to "start making choices that are better for the environment.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that airlines face a challenge to reach net zero by 2050. While carriers are invested more than ever in SAF in 2024, it still accounted for less than 0.5% of fuel used.

“SAF is in short supply and costs must come down,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Governments could fortify their national energy security and unblock this problem by prioritising renewable fuel production from which SAF is derived.”

By making SAF available at The Red Sea International Airport, RSG is giving airlines and operators the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions.

RSI has been welcoming domestic flights since September 2023 and international flights began in April 2024, with twice-weekly flights from Dubai.

Those flights are going to increase dramatically. The Red Sea welcomed its first guests in 2023, with five of its hotels now open. By 2030, there will be 50 resorts.

Thuwal Private Retreat opened in 2024, Desert Rock made its debut in early 2025 and Amaala's first phase with eight resorts is due to open in 2025, and will comprise 30 resorts by 2030.

Desert Rock, Saudi Arabia

With the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) opening Saudi’s domestic private aviation market to foreign, on-demand charter operators from 1 May 2025, that could see more private flights heading to The Red Sea region.

Some of these aircraft charter companies offer SAF to passengers as part of the booking process, with more travellers keen to mitigate the impact of flying.

Victor, founded in 2011 established a new headquarters in Abu Dhabi in April 2024, and offers SAF for global bookings, with clients able to reduce their carbon emissions by up to 80%.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 – being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May – will address key trends shaping the future of aviation, with a spotlight on SAF.

For more information, visit www.redseaglobal.com

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