Designs for the new Red Sea Airport have been revealed

Credit: Foster + Partners.

Designs for the new Red Sea Airport (which is set to welcome an expected one million visitors by 2030) have been revealed.

The design of the terminal aims to bring the experience of a private aircraft terminal to every traveller by providing smaller, intimate spaces that feel luxurious and personalised. The form of the roof shells is inspired by the desert dunes and cantilevers landside and airside to provide shade for passengers.

An internal green oasis with an indigenously planted garden forms a green focus, with the aim of creating a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere within the airport terminal. The airport will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

“The Red Sea Airport has been envisaged as a gateway to one of the most unique resorts in the world and an integral part of the visitor experience,” said Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, the company which has created the new designs. “Inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape, the sustainable design seeks to create a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal.

“It will become a transit hub for visitors coming in by both land and air. We look forward to working with the Red Sea Development Company to fulfil the vision for this ambitious one-of-a-kind project.”

“The sustainable design seeks to create a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal…” Credit: Foster + Partners.

The arrival experience at the airport has been designed around the speed of processing passengers. Upon arrival, the aim is for passengers to follow the natural spatial flow down towards the Welcome Centre, where they are met and welcomed to the Red Sea Resort. All security and immigration checks are aimed to be dealt with speedily and the checked-in baggage is sent to the resorts directly. The centre offers an immersive experience of the highlights at the resort, giving visitors a flavour of what is to come.

The departure sequence is generally longer than the arrival experience, the company said, so the spaces have been designed for longer waiting times with larger, more relaxed spaces. The five departure suites are arranged as a series of pods to allow an easy transition from their cars to the plane.

Passengers are dropped off outside the terminal and enter one of the departure pods which feature spas and restaurants. The baggage is loaded onto the aircraft directly after being checked in at the resort.