Soaring above a scattering of soft sand atolls fringed with turquoise reefs is a quintessential part of the Maldives experience. But now visitors to Saudi Arabia's ultra-luxe 'Shebara Resort', will be able to experience the same jaw-dropping views when the island hotel opens later this year.
Red Sea Global has announced the launch of a second aerodrome, adding to existing services that whisk guests in style to upscale resorts including the St. Regis and Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve.
The second sea-plane aerodrome facility will be located on Sheybarah Island, home to the iconic Shebara Resort which is slated to welcome its first guests later this year. And guests can choose to arrive either by a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland or in 20 minutes by seaplane. The exclusive island resort will feature 73 hyper luxury villa 'pods' dotted along a spectacular 30 to 40-metre reef drop-off, with close access to the beach.
Since opening last year, the Kingdom's first aerodrome at Ummahat Island has been the launch-off point for more than 500 flights carrying thousands of passengers.
John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global and a keen pilot himself, said: “This license is one of the final stepping stones towards opening Sheybarah Island to the world. Soon, guests will be arriving by seaplane to this iconic resort in anticipation of enjoying a truly peerless escape."
Fly Red Sea so far has four Cessna seaplanes, with boutique interiors that invite guests to relax in style as they soar over crystal-clear waters to their island havens.
The airline plans to more than double its fleet to nine aircraft by 2029, with a total of 30 seaplanes in operation by the following year.
The Red Sea welcomed its first guests last year, with three of its hotels now open. Shebara and Desert Rock will welcome their first guests in the coming months, while Shura Island is on track to open its doors next year in 2025.
Once complete in 2030, the destination will be home to 50 resorts, with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. Guests will also be able to explore luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues, restaurants and leisure facilities.
