Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) has taken a significant step forward in its expansion efforts, announcing the adoption of a cutting-edge sustainable cooling system designed to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency. The move positions RAK Airport as the first in the Middle East and Asia to implement thermodynamic optimisation technology developed by French firm DYNAES.
Pioneering Smart Cooling for Greener Aviation
The initiative is part of a broader terminal expansion plan aimed at accommodating the emirate’s growing tourism sector and economic development. With aviation energy demands rising, RAK Airport has placed a strategic focus on sustainable energy management.
Cooling systems are among the highest energy consumers in airport infrastructure. To address this, project consultants ARTELIA Airport and STG Contracting recommended the DYNAES system, which was showcased at COP28 in Dubai, to the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Authorities.
Developed in collaboration with academic and industrial leaders including Mines Paris PSL, TÜV, and CNRS, the patented DYNAES technology optimises air conditioning thermal performance without requiring additional compressor power or electronic components. The system modifies the refrigerant and lubricating oil mixture at two critical points in the cooling cycle—before and after the condenser—resulting in significantly improved energy efficiency.
Tourism Boom Fuels Expansion
The sustainable upgrade comes amid a tourism surge in Ras Al Khaimah. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recorded 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024—its highest annual figure to date. The record reflects a 12% increase in tourism revenue and a 15% rise in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) visitors.
Further boosting the emirate’s profile, the UAE’s first-ever casino is slated to open at the Wynn Marjan Island Resort in early 2027, expected to mark a transformative chapter in the region’s entertainment landscape.
Regional and International Support
Implementation of the cooling technology is backed by air handling specialist Airchal, a company with more than 60 years of industry experience, and Takyeef Factory. The companies’ operations in France and Abu Dhabi will provide the manufacturing and logistical support required for the rollout.
Broader Implications Beyond Aviation
Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Airport and Head of the Department of Civil Aviation, linked the project to Ras Al Khaimah’s broader sustainability goals, including its participation in the Municipality’s Retrofit Energy Program. “This shows how even aging infrastructure can pave the way for a sustainable future when combined with new technologies,” he said.
Professor Assaad Zoughaib, Head of the Research Laboratory at Mines Paris PSL, hailed the DYNAES system as a “major scientific breakthrough in thermodynamics.”
While RAK Airport is the launch site, the DYNAES solution is designed for broad application, including data centres, industrial refrigeration, and transportation sectors. Experts believe its widespread use could significantly reduce global energy consumption.
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