PPG and RSI partner on lounge services in Saudi Arabia
(Front row-Left to Right) Okan Kufeci, Senior Vice President – EMEA of Plaza Premium Group, Andrew Tyler-Smith , Chief Executive Officer of Red Sea International Airport ; (Back row-Left to Right) Lorenzo Valori, Vice President - EMEA Growth & EU/UK Operations of Plaza Premium Group, Deniz Pieterszoon Pot, Director of Business Development - EMEA of Plaza Premium Group ; Kristian Perussich, Senior Director - Projects and Operations Legal of Red Sea Global, Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of Red Sea International Airport, Rory Waterman, Contracts & Procurement Manager of Red Sea International Airport, at the official contract signing ceremony
daa International has announced a strategic partnership with Plaza Premium Group (PPG), for the management of premium hospitality services at Red Sea International Airport (RSI). This collaboration will see PPG implement its Plaza Premium First standards in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
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, said: “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 designed to draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the desert, the serenity of a green oasis and the vastness of the sea, with the aim 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 using smaller, intimate spaces to create 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, the press release said.
"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,” said Bora Isbulan, Deputy CEO of Plaza Premium Group.
Okan Kufeci, Senior Vice President, EMEA of Plaza Premium Group also commented on the partnership: “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.”
