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07.08.2025 - 18:07:38

Riyadh Air and IBM to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences

Agreement will see Riyadh Air leverage IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions to drive Riyadh Air's vision as the world's first digital native airlineThe collaboration aims to help power the Saudi Arabian airline's mission to launch flights in 2025 while offering an elevated guest experiencean AI-powered delivery platform, Riyadh Air will deploy AI solutions to boost efficiency and service, including AI-powered Virtual Assistants for customer and employee self-service.

"By embedding watsonx at the core of its operations, Riyadh Air is taking an AI-first approach to redefine air travel and set new industry standards as the world's first digital-native airline," said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. "Together we are supercharging our teams with AI to enhance traveler experiences, optimize operations, and shape the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia and beyond."

The airline's decision to partner with IBM Consulting and watsonx was driven by IBM's strong track record in AI transformation, backed by successful past engagements with Riyadh Air that established trust and credibility. IBM's immersive engagement model played a key role in the expanded relationship. Hands-on AI workshops showcased real-world benefits for guests and employees, and IBM offered AI technology and enterprise services into an integrated solution tailored to Riyadh Air's digital goals. Additionally, IBM Consulting Advantage allows Riyadh Air employees and IBM consultants to work side by side to deliver rapid innovation, scalable solutions, and accelerated value helping Riyadh Air shape next-generation travel experiences.

Riyadh Air's AI-driven strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global aviation hub. By embedding AI across its ecosystem, Riyadh Air sets a new industry benchmark as a truly digital-native airline. This collaboration with IBM marks a transformative leap forward, enabling a comprehensive, intelligent, and highly personalized travel experience designed to anticipate and adapt to the evolving needs of travelers worldwide.

About Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air is a world-class airline owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Launched in March 2023, the airline will be a digitally-led, full service airline that adopts the best global sustainability and safety practices across its advanced fleet of aircraft. Riyadh Air will equip its aircrafts with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. Riyadh Air will connect guests to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030 through offering an exceptional guest experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.

For more information please visit our website: www.riyadhair.com - and for any media inquiries please contact us at: media@riyadhair.com

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

IBM media contact:
Aymen Alfaraj
IBM Communciations
Aymen.Alfaraj@ibm.com