Putting a Travel Pin on the Map at the Luxurious Red Sea International Airport

As a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility using key smart features, RSI will offer travellers an efficient, enjoyable and contactless airport experience from commercial guests to VIPs. The airport will include biometric technology integrated with law enforcement, airport security systems and automated hotel check-in and check-out processes. The airport aims to provide an unparalleled digital experience for guests where boarding passes, passport control and luggage handling are managed through an app on their phones, with no need for a physical check-in area.

Arriving guests descend to immigration through landscaped gardens, leading to a welcome center at a lower ground level, while their luggage is delivered directly to their hotel room. Upon departure, luggage is handled directly from the accommodation while guests are escorted from their resort, through security to a departure lounge. Throughout the arrival and departure experience, all guest areas are embellished with high-quality designs and finishes matching the superior interior design standards adopted in the resorts to provide a hospitality focus and level of service beyond traditional International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.

To determine how the technology and interior spaces could amalgamate, Red Sea Global (RSG) appointed Jacobs to take a structured and rigorous look at the scale and complexity of the proposed facilities and features. This information, coupled with an understanding of the value provided to guests and RSG, helped the team make smart design decisions while maintaining the look and feel of the proposed airport. Jacobs maintained the approved design concept and its facilities, while performing a thorough and far-reaching value engineering exercise that resulted in significant savings to the construction budget. Examples include rationalizing the airport’s operational facilities and of materials procured for the curved terminal roof of the departure pods without impacting on the look and feel; and replacing conventional baggage belts with autonomous robots. Jacobs also designed a digital control tower in place of a conventional facility.

Part of our successful delivery was our commitment to provide the client with world-class solutions and teams. Our broader team of specialized sub-consultants contributed to the impressive value engineering process resulting in a commercially feasible, buildable and sustainable design without affecting the iconic and distinct features of the airport such as the clam shell-shaped terminal design that is inspired by the creatures found in the Red Sea; the luxurious arrivals gardens and welcome center.