Saudi Ground Services and daa international partner to elevate excellence in ground handling operations at RSI Airport
Saudi Ground Services (SGS), Red Sea Global (RSG) and daa International, the operator of the Red Sea International Airport (RSI), partner in a five-year agreement to provide comprehensive ground handling services for all airlines operating at the airport, in compliance with the highest operational and environmental sustainability standards that set a new benchmark for operational excellence in the Kingdom.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad A. Mazi, CEO of Saudi Ground Services Company, as well as John Pagano, GCEO of Red Sea Global, the developer of the airport, and Andrew Tyler-Smith, CEO of Red Sea International Airport, in the presence of several executive officials and specialists in the air transport and airport services industry.
On this occasion, Mr. Mohammad A. Mazi commented: “We are proud to be the strategic partner of daa International in providing ground handling services at Red Sea International Airport, one of the Kingdom’s most prominent national projects that embodies its ambitions in tourism and sustainable development. Our services at new airports such as RSI reaffirm our commitment to contributing effectively to achieving the objectives of Vision 2030 and supporting the integrated air transport and tourism ecosystem.”
“The company continues to support growing operational demands through qualified national talent, advanced operational assets, and innovative initiatives in digital transformation, automation, and environmental sustainability—aligned with the Kingdom’s vision and contributing to delivering world-class integrated services. Today, we proudly serve 29 airports across the Kingdom, providing services to more than 116 airlines, over 110 million passengers annually, and handling approximately 800,000 flights, with an operational performance rate of 99.68%, reflecting our operational capabilities and leadership in this vital sector.”, he added.
Andy Tyler-Smith, CEO of Red Sea International Airport, added: "Our partnership with Saudi Ground Services (SGS) underpins the operational and sustainable backbone of RSI, as we prepare to welcome the world. The airport will soon be powered entirely on renewable energy, pioneering innovative solutions to eliminate carbon emissions in compliance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Partnering with a company of SGS’s calibre ensures that every aspect of our guests’ journey is seamless from the moment they arrive."
Through this agreement, SGS will be responsible for delivering passenger services both within the terminal, overseeing all apron operations including aircraft marshalling, pushback, towing, and ground power connection, as well as managing baggage handling.
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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 Saudi Ground Services (SGS)
Saudi Ground Services is the national leading provider of ground handling services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, operating across all 29 commercial airports nationwide. The company was established in 2008 through the merger of major national ground handling providers, with the aim of meeting the growing demands of the aviation sector and delivering high-efficiency services in line with global operational standards.
SGS offers a comprehensive suite of ground handling services, including passenger services, baggage handling, ramp operations, cargo loading and off-loading, aircraft cleaning, ground traffic control, and ground transportation. The company serves more than 110 airlines and handles approximately 800,000 flights annually, including scheduled, private, royal, and chartered flights—demonstrating its strong capabilities and leadership in this vital sector.
SGS proudly serves over 116 million passengers annually, achieving an exceptional 99.86% operational performance rate, reinforcing its position as a trusted and efficient ground handling provider across the Kingdom and the region.
In alignment with its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, SGS integrates eco-friendly technologies and solutions into its operations to reduce carbon emissions and enhance resource efficiency, in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and national environmental goals.
The company operates in full compliance with international standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is certified under the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)—affirming its dedication to the highest levels of safety and operational excellence in the aviation industry.
About Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global (RSG) is a vertically integrated real estate developer with a diverse portfolio across tourism, luxury residential, experiences, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services. This includes the luxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea, which began welcoming guests in 2023, and AMAALA, which remains on track to welcome first guests in 2025.
A third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat, opened in 2024 and RSG has also been entrusted with refurbishment works at Al Wajh Airport, focused on upgrading the existing terminal and infrastructure, and building a new international terminal.
RSG is a PIF company and a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to diversify its economy. Across its growing portfolio of destinations, subsidiaries, and businesses, RSG seeks to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment.
www.redseaglobal.com
Contact details
For more information please contact:
Ohoud Aljabr: Head of Marketing oaljabr@daai.ie