Red Sea International Airport (RSI), operated by daa International, and Red Sea Global (RSG) – the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s flagship regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced a major boost to international connectivity with the launch of Qatar Airways’ new direct services from Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), the Best Airport in the Middle East as voted by Skytrax in 2025.
Now available for bookings via qatarairways.com and the airline’s mobile application, the new flights will operate three times a week. The flights will link RSI to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 170 destinations and connect it with one of the world’s busiest and best-connected hubs, Hamad International Airport, which can accommodate over 65 million passengers annually. The introduction of these direct services will also provide seamless one-stop access for travellers from across six continents, including Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
This launch significantly expands the destination’s reach into global aviation networks for both inbound leisure and surrounding communities through Qatar Airways – the World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2025 for the ninth time. Enabled by the strategic support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Air Connectivity Programme (ACP), this launch marks a pivotal advancement in connecting the world to The Red Sea destination. The service will also offer an accessible and efficient gateway to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast – an emerging luxury tourism hotspot key to the of Saudi Vision 2030’s economic diversification strategy.
Qatar Airways flights will operate every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday:
Doha (DOH) → The Red Sea (RSI) – Flight QR1226: Departure 7:45, Arrival 10:45
The Red Sea (RSI) → Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1227: Departure 11:45, Arrival 14:15
Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of Red Sea International Airport, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Red Sea International Airport. By adding Qatar Airways to our growing network, we are not only expanding our international reach, but we are connecting directly into one of the world’s most powerful global aviation hubs. This service will allow us to tap into entirely new source markets, making it easier for travellers from every corner of the world to discover The Red Sea destination.”
daa International, Chief Executive Officer, Nick Cole said: “The launch of Qatar Airways’ direct services from Doha marks yet another major milestone for Red Sea International Airport. By connecting with one of the world’s leading global hubs, we are opening up seamless access to travellers across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. This new route is not only a powerful step forward in expanding international connectivity, but it also reinforces our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Congratulations to the Air Service Development team at RSI and to all at RSG who made this significant partnership possible”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways’ addition of The Red Sea route to our global network is yet another example of our dedication to providing diverse destinations that the discerning global traveller demands. The Red Sea – our 12th destination in Saudi Arabia – offers a wide range of distinct and enriching Middle East experiences. With this announcement, these travel experiences are now accessible with the World’s Best Airline through our award-winning hub – Hamad International Airport.”
With more connections and services on the horizon, the airport is set to become a key gateway to one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Located 90 km south of Al Wajh in the west of Saudi Arabia, RSI is within three hours flying time for 250 million people and within eight hours for 85% of the global population.
With the state-of-the-art main terminal set to be fully operational by the end of this year, and with more flights moving forward, RSI is gearing up for seamless connections to this one-of-a-kind destination set to serve one million guests annually by 2030.
