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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is moving to elevate its standing in the region’s premium travel market with the development of a dedicated VVIP terminal and private jet hangar in partnership with Falcon Executive Aviation, a subsidiary of Alex Group Investment. The project, unveiled through an agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow, aligns with the emirate’s broader push to attract high-spending visitors drawn to its expanding tourism and entertainment offerings, including the soon-to-open Wynn Al Marjan Island.
More than an upscale lounge, the new development will feature a 1,500-square-metre VVIP terminal, an 8,000-square-meter hangar, and a 9,000-square-metre apron tailored for the latest generation of corporate aircraft. Additional provisions for aircraft parking, a helipad, and future vertical mobility platforms offer a glimpse of how RAK Airport aims to stay ahead of evolving private aviation needs.
According to Eng. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the project reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s emergence as an international destination, helping the emirate attract high-value travellers and long-term investment as part of its economic diversification strategy.
Falcon Executive Aviation, which also operates from Dubai Al Maktoum’s VIP terminal, will bring its luxury-focused “Signature Experience” to RAK. The VVIP terminal will include a Royal lounge and four VVIP salons designed for guests seeking privacy, rapid processing and direct aircraft-side access—elements increasingly central to ultra-premium travel.
Sustainability is another pillar of the plan. Both the airport and Falcon have committed to LEED Gold standards, incorporating solar infrastructure expected to offset 35% of energy use, fully electric ground support equipment and provisions for sustainable aviation fuel. These features respond to a growing shift among global private aviation users who now weigh environmental factors in their choice of airport gateways.
Construction is slated to span roughly 15 months, with the complex scheduled for completion in Q1 2027. For Ras Al Khaimah—positioned within four hours of flight time for one-third of the world’s population—the investment is poised to channel more private aviation traffic tied to tourism, business travel and the rising demand for resort-linked luxury experiences.
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