Red Sea International Airport and Plaza Premium Group Join Forces to Pioneer New Lounge Services in Saudi Arabia
daa International has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Plaza Premium Group (PPG), a global leader in airport hospitality, for the management of premium hospitality services at Red Sea International Airport (RSI). This collaboration will see PPG implement its exceptional Plaza Premium First standards in Saudi Arabia for the first time, further reinforcing RSI’s position as a best-in-class airport that blends seamless efficiency with first-class hospitality.
PPG will manage a range of premium services that include four premium lounges for passengers, five F&B outlets, and seven dining rooms catering to airport staff. In a first for Saudi Arabia, the premium departure lounges will deliver a fully a la carte dining experience for all passengers as a luxurious final touchpoint on their departure journey.
Andrew Tyler-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of RSI, added: “Our partnership with Plaza Premium Group marks an exciting step forward in delivering an elevated airport experience. By combining our expertise in airport management with Plaza Premium Group’s global excellence in hospitality, we are setting a new standard for comfort, service, and innovation. We look forward to welcoming travellers to our premium lounges and dining spaces, where every detail is designed to enhance their journey.”
The new RSI airport has been thoughtfully designed to draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the desert, the serenity of a green oasis, and the vastness of the sea. This innovative design aims to eliminate the usual stresses associated with travel, offering passengers a tranquil and memorable experience from the moment they arrive.
The terminal's architecture is crafted to bring the exclusive feel of a private aircraft terminal to every traveller. By creating smaller, intimate spaces, the airport ensures a luxurious and personalized experience for all passengers. The lounges and F&B outlets will be meticulously designed to provide a luxurious and relaxing environment, perfectly aligning with the sustainable and high-end ethos of The Red Sea destination.
Bora Isbulan, Deputy CEO of Plaza Premium Group, commented on the partnership: "We are thrilled to join forces with Red Sea International Airport at this groundbreaking airport. With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the forefront of our strategic priorities and significant investments allocated for the region, we take immense pride in this partnership. As the global leader in airport hospitality solutions with the largest network of lounges worldwide, we will leverage our expertise to transform this sustainable gateway into a luxury destination for discerning travelers. Our world-class teams, award-winning services and integrated technology solutions deliver personalized journeys at every touchpoint. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our commitment to elevating airport experiences while supporting the Red Sea destination’s vision for responsible luxury tourism."
Okan Kufeci, Senior Vice President, EMEA of Plaza Premium Group, added: “Our strategic partnership with Red Sea International Airport marks a significant milestone in our portfolio expansion across Middle East. By introducing Plaza Premium First standards to Saudi Arabia, we are not only enhancing the travel experience but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality solutions globally. This collaboration is a testament to our ongoing efforts to innovate and elevate airport services, setting new benchmarks for comfort and luxury”.
RSI is developed by Red Sea Global and serves as the primary gateway to The Red Sea destination, which welcomed its first guests in 2023, and now has five hotels open. Situated within three hours' flying time of 250 million people and eight hours' flying time for 85% of the world’s population, RSI has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September 2023 and international flights began in April 2024, with a twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International.
-ENDS
About Red Sea International Airport
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, situated on the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia. Red Sea International Airport (RSI) serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international flights, connecting travellers from around the world to The Red Sea destination. Inspired by the beauty of the surrounding desert, the green oasis, and the sea, RSI is committed to providing the qualities of a five-star hospitality experience, ensuring a stress-free, seamless, and sustainable airport journey for all guests. Red Sea International Airport (RSI) is operated by daa International.
About daa International
daa International is a leading global airport management, consultancy and investment company and part of the wider daa Group, headquartered in Dublin. With a presence in over 30 locations across 15 countries, daa International has a global reach spanning from Australia to North America, including in Saudi Arabia where in addition to operating the Red Sea International Airport, the company has a significant presence in both King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh. Drawing on 85 years' award-winning airport experience from across the daa Group, daa International delivers value and knowledge transfer to clients, and a world class airport experience for passengers and guests across its airport portfolio.
About Plaza Premium Group:
Plaza Premium Group, headquartered in Hong Kong and established in 1998, is a pioneering global airport hospitality services provider. With a mission to Make Travel Better, the group introduced the world's first independent airport lounge concept.
Today, PPG operates the largest network of international airport lounges worldwide and offers a 360-degree airport experience with 14 brands under its portfolio, spanning over 1,600 touchpoints in 150 countries across 600 international and domestic airports. From airport lounge brands - Plaza Premium Lounge & Plaza Premium First, to terminal hotels - Aerotel & Refreshhh by Aerotel, to concierge services - ALLWAYS, a range of airport dining concepts, global reward and membership program - Smart Traveller, and travel experience ECOsystem - oneTECO, the group is at the forefront of transforming airport experience for the better through innovative and human-led solutions. PPG’s commitment extends beyond its brands, as it also provides lounge management and hospitality solutions to leading airlines, alliances, and corporates worldwide. Partnerships include renowned names such as American Express, Capital One, Cathay Pacific Airways, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, Visa, and many more.
Plaza Premium Group has over 100 accolades demonstrating its exceptional achievements and commitment to service excellence. Notably, the group has received the prestigious "World's Best Independent Airport Lounge" award at the World Airline Awards by Skytrax for eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2024. TTG Asia also recognized the group as the "Best Airport Lounge Operator" in 2018, 2019 and 2023. In 2020, it achieved the "ISO 9001:2015" certification for its Hong Kong Headquarters. Furthermore, the group's Founder and CEO, Mr. Song Hoi-see, was awarded the “Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Master Entrepreneur of the Year Malaysia” in 2018.
With a team of over 6,000 dedicated talents, PPG serves more than 20 million global passengers annually. Through a continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence, the group is experiencing exponential growth globally.
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Ohoud M. Aljabr
Head of Marketing
Email: oaljabr@daai.ie