First Saudi SAF supplies go to sustainable tourism gateway Red Sea International Airport

The first supplies of sustainable aviation fuel in Saudi Arabia will go to Red Sea International Airport, gateway to a major new sustainable tourism project being developed as part of the national government’s $3 trillion 2030 economic plan. The fuel, produced with used cooking oil, will be provided by the airport’s fuel supplier, Arabian Petroleum Supply Company (Apsco). While use of the SAF will be optional for visiting airlines, the resort-based seaplane operator Fly Red Sea will use renewable energy including SAF and low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) to power its growing fleet of Cessna Caravan commuter planes. But demand for the fuel is expected to increase substantially as the development expands from five resorts currently to 50 by 2030, which the state-owned developer Red Sea Global expects to support with a growing range of direct international air services.

The Red Sea project, in northwest Saudi Arabia, is central not only to the national tourism target of 100 million extra visitors by 2030, but also the oil state’s desire to be seen globally as an active participant in sustainable development.

“Across its growing portfolio of destinations, subsidiaries and businesses, Red Sea Global seeks to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible development can uplift communities, drive economies and enhance the environment,” said Red Sea Global in its SAF announcement.

Sending Saudi Arabia’s first SAF to Red Sea International Airport follows other initiatives within the showpiece project including the installation of more than 400-megawatt peak capacity solar power panels and the cultivation of up to 50 million mangroves by 2030 to help absorb carbon. Once fully completed in 2030, the entire precinct, comprising 50 resorts offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and 1,000 residential properties, and spread across 22 islands and six mainland locations, will be entirely powered by renewable energy.

The SAF deal – agreed between Red Sea Global, the airport’s contracted operator, Ireland’s daa international, and fuel supplier Arabian Petroleum Supply Company (Apsco) – enables airlines now serving the precinct to refuel with SAF. The producer of the SAF was not announced, although the supply will be blended at 35% SAF and 65% standard Jet A1.

“Introducing sustainable aviation fuel at Red Sea International Airport marks a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability,” said Michael White, the airport’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This groundbreaking initiative not only reduces carbon emissions but also aligns with our broader mission to protect the Red Sea’s unique and fragile ecosystem.” 

“Travel is a way to bridge cultures, broaden horizons and regenerate the mind, body and soul,” added Red Sea Global’s CEO John Pagano. “But travel has a cost, especially for our planet. This is why we promised to transform the industry, moving it towards a sustainable, regenerative future. More than this, we’re supporting the wider aviation sector to start making choices that are better for the environment.”

For now, only two scheduled airlines fly to Red Sea International – Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia, with four weekly flights from Riyadh and two from Jeddah, all with narrowbody Airbus A320 family jets, and the UAE’s FlyDubai, with two weekly Boeing 737 services from Dubai.

It was not disclosed if either operator has decided to use the SAF being provided, or if the fuel will also be used to power private jets using the airport.

In line with the destination’s green theme, the airport too has been designed to maximise sustainable energy options, consisting of five ‘pods’ which are independently activated to align with demand, eliminating the need to continuously power the whole facility, while instead of air conditioned aerobridges between the terminal and aircraft, passengers pass through landscaped gardens which have been designed as thermal buffers.

Electric vehicles and service equipment are being introduced for ground handling, and plans have been flagged by the airport to provide electric and hydrogen energy once zero-emission aircraft including air taxis are introduced.

In addition to using SAF and LCAF, Fly Red Sea, which is owned by Red Sea Global and operates seaplane transfers, scenic tours and charter flights around the new precinct, is also working with hydrogen-electric powertrain producer ZeroAvia to explore deployment of its new propulsion system. In 2022, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly test and develop zero-emission flights across the Red Sea resort zone, with ZeroAvia looking to retrofit its entry level ZA600 powertrain in up to 30 Cessna Caravan seaplanes which Fly Red Sea plans to operate. That propulsion system, designed specifically for 9-19 seat aircraft, is currently being progressed towards certification.  

Tony Harrington

Correspondent

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