Red Sea Global (RSG) announced the launch of Fly Red Sea, which successfully operated its first seaplane flight.
Designed to ferry guests to the exquisite island resorts within The Red Sea, including the St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve, Fly Red Sea is the first seaplane company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Our goal was to create a company that would allow us to maintain high standards across every guest touchpoint, that would give us the platform to explore technologies to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, and which would prioritise giving skilled, rewarding career opportunities to the Saudi people. Fly Red Sea achieves this on every level,” John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global said.
Fly Red Sea operates a fleet of four Cessna Caravan 208 seaplanes, each equipped with luxury interiors.
The company plans to expand its fleet to nine seaplanes by 2028 and potentially more than 20 by 2030.
These seaplanes can comfortably accommodate guests, offering transfers to water-based resorts and scenic tours across the destination.
Sustainability is a core focus for Fly Red Sea, with a commitment to using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from day one.
The company is also exploring the use of fully electric seaplanes and collaborating with ZeroAvia to test hydrogen-electric propulsion technology on Cessna Caravan Seaplanes.
Fly Red Sea pioneers national talent
Moreover, Fly Red Sea is dedicated to employing national talent, issuing the first Saudi seaplane captain’s license and hiring the first seaplane-specific engineers.
The Red Sea International Airport, where Fly Red Sea is based, features a dedicated seaplane runway that will eventually have its own terminal.
The Red Sea destination is set to welcome its first guests this year, with the airport already operational and the first two hotels accepting bookings.
Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will offer 50 resorts, 8,000 hotel rooms, and over 1,000 residential properties on 22 islands and six inland sites, along with luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, dining, and leisure facilities.
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