Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s second national airline, is poised to transform air travel with its strategic technology partnership with IBM. The collaboration aims to create a cutting-edge digital and technological foundation for the new airline, set to commence commercial operations in 2025.
Riyadh Air has engaged IBM Consulting to craft a digital and technology strategy that incorporates a hybrid cloud approach, integrating more than 50 airline industry solutions and technological capabilities. These encompass security, infrastructure, integration, and data platforms, with a particular focus on incorporating AI operations and state-of-the-art digital technology to provide a personalized travel experience.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, highlighted the pivotal role of IBM’s expertise in enabling this technology transition, emphasizing their ambition to lead in digital technology and innovation within the aviation industry while adopting global sustainability and safety practices.
The strategic partnership aligns with Riyadh Air’s goal to serve 100 million visitors annually by 2030, driving a vision of exceptional, seamless, and personalized guest experiences powered by AI and digital technology. It also emphasizes the importance of empowering employees with data-driven insights and new ways of working to better serve guests.
IBM Consulting will not only guide Riyadh Air in its technology transformation but will also establish and operate the airline’s hybrid cloud integration platform, leveraging IBM CloudPak for Integration and Red Hat OpenShift. This platform will offer unified and user-friendly integration tools, enabling a more seamless experience.
John Granger, Senior Vice President at IBM Consulting, expressed pride in the partnership, noting that a technology foundation built with an open, hybrid cloud approach and AI can help Riyadh Air achieve the flexibility and agility needed to provide an exceptional travel experience for their guests.
This collaboration is expected to position Riyadh Air as a digital aviation innovator, aligned with the broader ecosystem’s demand for digital advancements and exceptional guest experiences.
Riyadh Air’s digital and technology strategy aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into a global aviation and trade hub. The airline’s innovative approach, combined with IBM’s expertise, is set to redefine the future of air travel and shape a new era for the Kingdom’s aviation industry.
IBM Consulting, with its industry expertise and commitment to co-creation, is dedicated to helping clients like Riyadh Air modernize and secure complex systems, driving business transformation through hybrid cloud and AI technologies.
Riyadh Air, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), seeks to lead the aviation industry by offering a digitally-led, full-service airline with a strong emphasis on sustainability, safety, and outstanding guest experiences.
IBM, as a global leader in hybrid cloud and AI, provides consulting expertise to help clients worldwide capitalize on data insights, streamline processes, and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.
Together, Riyadh Air and IBM aim to revolutionize the future of air travel, emphasizing innovation, exceptional guest experiences, and technological advancement.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between Riyadh Air and IBM stands poised to redefine the future of air travel, transcending conventional aviation norms. With a visionary commitment to cutting-edge digital technology and innovative guest experiences, Riyadh Air is on a trajectory to become a global aviation leader, all while adhering to international sustainability and safety standards.
This collaboration underscores the essential role of technology in shaping a new era for Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry and aligns seamlessly with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030, which aims to transform the nation into a global aviation and trade hub.
As Riyadh Air takes flight in 2025, its journey is emblematic of a profound shift in the aviation landscape, setting new standards for the industry and offering travelers a world-class, personalized, and seamless experience, powered by AI and state-of-the-art digital technology. In partnership with IBM, Riyadh Air embarks on an exciting venture that not only empowers guests with unforgettable moments but also sets the stage for the next chapter in the evolution of air travel.