The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has awarded a contract to The Helicopter Company (THC) in Riyadh for the provision and operation of an AW139 helicopter, its crew and maintenance technicians in addition to flight services during daytime.
A major developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, TRSDC said work is well underway at The Red Sea project on infrastructure development and readying accommodation for the current 4,000-strong workforce and company employees.
Upon completion in 2030, the destination will deliver up to 8,000 hotel rooms across 22 islands and six inland sites. The annual number of visitors will be carefully managed to avoid over-tourism and ensure that every guest enjoys a uniquely memorable experience.
As per the deal, THC will work closely with its recently appointed medical services provider International SOS–Al Rushaid (ISOS).
ISOS will provide medical crew when necessary and medical equipment, including oxygen bottles for carriage on the helicopter, from the operational base it will share with THC at TRSDC’s Construction Village near Umluj, located 145km north-west of Yanbu region.
The contract will allow TRSDC emergency medical services (EMS) with alternate configuration change capability for 14-seat passenger utility transport at TRSDC’s site on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, stated CEO John Pagano after signing the deal with THC Chairman Raid Ismail.
This deal with the kingdom's first commercial helicopter operator will give the much-needed aerial support for our staff and construction workers over the vast and remote area of our site, stated Pagano.
At the peak of construction activity, TRSDC is expected to have up to 30,000 workers in multiple locations over a 1,000 sq km development area.
Having the ability to respond rapidly to medical emergencies is a critically important component of TRSDC’s worker welfare programme, noted Pagano.
"The welfare of our workers is vital to us and this partnership will ensure we are able to respond with speed to medical emergencies, in addition to making us more operationally efficient," he said.
According to him, THC will provide and maintain an Aerolite three-stretcher kit for the transport of up to three patients on stretchers and stowage of up to four oxygen bottles.
The stretcher kit connects to the helicopter power supply and contains various electrical outlets to connect different types of medical devices, he added.
On the TRSDC deal, CEO Arnaud Martinez said: "Today marks the beginning of our fruitful partnership with the Saudi group and we are proud to be involved in the advancement of a giga-project of the scale and breadth of The Red Sea Project."
Launching its services in 2019, THC was established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to meet the growing demand for luxury tourism and air travel services. The company supports PIF's strategy to maximize sustainable returns and to launch and develop new sectors.
THC had recently signed an agreement to buy 10 Airbus H125 helicopters to boost its fleet, increase access to domestic tourism destinations and provide services such as filming, banner-towing and aerial surveying.
"The AW139 is one of the most reliable multipurpose helicopters on a global scale," observed Martinez.
"THC is committed to always providing its clients with exceptional air transport solutions with the latest technology and highest international safety standards. We look forward to further collaborations with TRSDC," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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