The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2025, now offers three weekly non-stop flights between Doha and The Red Sea
Qatar Airways currently operates more than 130 weekly flights across 12 Saudi gateways, showcasing its commitment to enhancing connectivity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia – Qatar Airways today marks the launch of three weekly non-stop flights to Red Sea International Airport (RSI), operated by daa International, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Hamad International Airport (DOH), the Best Airport in the Middle East as voted by Skytrax in 2025.
The Red Sea is the 12th destination in Saudi Arabia to be serviced by Qatar Airways, following operations in Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, and Yanbu. This expansion reinforces Qatar Airways’ position in the Saudi market and demonstrates the airline’s long-term commitment to enhancing connectivity across the Kingdom.
The RSI service further adds to the airline’s global network of more than 170 destinations, offering seamless connections for travellers from across six continents, including Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe to the Kingdom’s west coast through Doha.
Upon landing, Qatar Airways delegation headed by Qatar Airways SVP Business Control and Financial Support, Mr. Abdullah Al Malki, and VP Sales – Middle East, Caucasus, Pakistan & ISC, Mr. Karthik Viswanathan, and Head of Aeropolitical & Regulatory Affairs, Sheikh Jassim bin Fahad Al-Thani, was welcomed by John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global – the developer behind The Red Sea destination and RSI, and Andrew Tyler-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at RSI.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We at Qatar Airways are proud to expand our global network of more than 170 destinations with the inauguration of service to The Red Sea. The importance of the Saudi market, and our commitment to it, is proven by the growing reach of our services in the Kingdom. This new route – a testament to the close ties between the two countries – offers travellers seamless, world class access to one of the Middle East’s emerging destinations onboard the World’s Best Airline.”
RSG Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Pagano, said: “Welcoming Qatar Airways to Red Sea International Airport is a key step in giving more travellers from around the world easy access to The Red Sea destination. With the opening of Shura Island last month and our second destination AMAALA welcoming guests in the coming months, enhanced international connectivity means even more people can now experience the best of Saudi culture, hospitality, and nature in one of the most picturesque places on the planet."
Red Sea International Airport CEO, Mr. Andrew Tyler-Smith, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming our second international route to Red Sea International Airport, a connection from Doha to The Red Sea through Qatar Airways. This new service introduces an efficient gateway to a wide range of European destinations, unlocking critical access to key target source markets for the first time. As we continue to grow our airline portfolio, each new route reinforces our role as a strategic hub for tourism. We look forward to welcoming more travellers from around the world to enjoy the unparalleled luxury of The Red Sea destination.”
The Red Sea is a pioneering destination on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, inviting guests to experience a place of extraordinary natural beauty.
Located on Saudi Arabia’s western coastline between the cities of Umluj and Al Wajh, The Red Sea is one of the emerging tourism destinations encompassing more than 90 untouched islands, coral-fringed waters, sweeping desert landscapes, volcanic mountain ranges, and one of the largest reef systems in the world.
Currently, The Red Sea welcomes guests from around the globe with six luxury resorts. Shura Island, the heart of The Red Sea, began welcoming guests in 2025, and will be home to 11 exceptional resorts alongside the Shura Links golf course, a marina, and retail and dining experiences.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can make their trips more rewarding by collecting Avios on their flights as well as shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport. Members can spend their Avios on travel and lifestyle rewards of their choice including bidding on money-can’t-buy experiences with Privilege Club Collection.
Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a prominent leader in global connectivity and operates to over 170 destinations worldwide.
Bookings can be made at: qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile application.
The Red Sea is a pioneering destination on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, inviting guests to experience a place of extraordinary natural beauty across more than 28,000 km² and an archipelago of 90+ pristine islands framed by desert and mountains. Open since 2023, The Red Sea welcomes guests to a growing collection of world-class resorts operated by world-renowned hotel brands and Red Sea Global. Shura Island, the heart of the destination, began welcoming guests in 2025, and will debut 11 exceptional resorts alongside Shura Links golf course, a marina, retail, and dining experiences. The island is set to be fully live in 2026. Signature experiences also include high-adrenaline water and land sports to cultural and nature-based adventures, delivered by destination activity brands WAMA (over-water), Galaxea (underwater), and Akun (inland).
Developed by Red Sea Global (RSG), a multi-project developer advancing responsible, regenerative tourism while actively strengthening its environment, culture, and community, The Red Sea will comprise of 50 resorts, 8,000+ hotel keys, and 1,000+ residential properties, complemented by luxury marinas, golf courses, and leisure facilities by 2030. We limited our development to accommodate no more than 1 million visitors a year at The Red Sea and 500,000 at AMAALA to protect the delicate ecosystems, and the destination is powered by 100% renewable energy, targeting a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.
Red Sea International Airport (RSI) forms part of The Red Sea, a luxury regenerative tourism destination developed by Red Sea Global (RSG). Located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, The Red Sea is designed to set new standards in sustainable tourism, blending environmental stewardship with world-class hospitality.
Located ninety (90) kilometres south of Al Wajh, RSI is a two million passenger capacity airport situated within eight (8) hours’ flying time of 85% of the world’s population. It serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international flights, connecting travellers to The Red Sea destination.
Inspired by forms of the desert, the green oasis and the sea, RSI was designed by Foster + Partners and Jacobs.
RSI is operated by daa International, a leading global airport management, consultancy and investment company.
For more information about Red Sea International Airport, please visit: www.rsiairport.sa
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 Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ title for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways was previously named the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, and has yet again received recognition for ‘World's Best Business Class’, and ‘World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge’. As the leading connector in the region, Qatar Airways has also been lauded with the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ title for the 13 time.
Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row, as voted by Skytrax. Hamad International Airport has previously been named the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Qatar Airways was the first airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.
For further information, visit www.qatarairways.com.
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