SAUDIA Becomes 1st Airline to Fly to Red Sea International Airport

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
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SAUDIA Becomes 1st Airline to Fly to Red Sea International Airport

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has become the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. SPA

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first airline to operate flights to the Red Sea International Airport. This accomplishment has been made possible through a memorandum of understanding signed between the Red Sea International (RSI), SAUDIA, and daa International, the operator of Red Sea International Airport.

According to John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, the development of Red Sea International Airport is progressing steadily, and it is expected to be launched this year alongside three resorts. Initially, the airport will cater to domestic flights from and to Riyadh and subsequently expand to include flights from Jeddah. By 2024, the airport aims to handle international flights as well.

Pagano further explained that SAUDIA, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, will begin regular operations from and to Red Sea International Airport based on the memorandum of understanding.

The agreement also lays the foundation for collaborative research on the utilization of Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the airport. This demonstrates a shared commitment towards reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry.

In addition, the memorandum entails the evaluation of the implementation of electric vertical take-off and landing jets (eVTOL) as a means to further reduce emissions from air travel in the Red Sea region.

The landmark agreement between SAUDIA, Red Sea International, and daa International paves the way for sustainable aviation practices and is a sign on the progressive approach taken by all parties towards environmental preservation in the aviation sector.



China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)
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China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)

China said on Sunday it would launch 15 measures to bolster the development of its western provinces with the construction of logistical infrastructure such as ports and aviation hubs.

The General Administration of Customs said the measures would enhance the integration of rail, air, river and sea links in China's west, state media reported.

The measures are to include enhancing international aviation hubs in cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an and Urumqi, while developing comprehensive bonded zones, and integrating these with ports and other transport links.

A number of ports would also be built and expanded.

China has long sought to bolster the economic heft of its western regions, which have markedly lagged coastal provinces.

China's western regions comprise around two-thirds of the country's land area and include regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

China's Politburo last year called for a "new urbanization" of western China to revitalize rural areas, expand poverty alleviation efforts and strengthen energy resources. Efforts have also been made to increase linkages to Europe and South Asia through trade corridors including rail freight routes.