Riyadh Air and IBM partners to establish technology foundation of the digitally led airline

Riyadh Air and IBM have announced a significant partnership, in which IBM Consulting will serve as the primary systems integrator to facilitate the establishment, development, and orchestration of the technological infrastructure. This infrastructure aims to enhance the digitally native airline’s ability to provide exceptional and seamless travel experiences.

Together, Riyadh Air and IBM Consulting have jointly formulated the airline’s digital and technology strategy. Riyadh Air has now selected IBM Consulting to assist in constructing the critical business and technological capabilities that underpin this strategy. This includes the implementation and integration of more than 50 solutions specific to the airline industry and core technological capabilities, such as security, infrastructure, integration, and data platforms. This will be accomplished using a hybrid cloud approach. IBM will also coordinate the efforts of over 40 partners by providing program and technical governance, project management, quality assurance, change management, and communication management, as well as training.

This collaboration is anticipated to strategically position Riyadh Air within the broader ecosystem, enabling the delivery of digital innovations and exceptional travel experiences for passengers and guests. Riyadh Air’s objective is to establish a world-class airline that offers personalized and seamless guest experiences driven by AI and cutting-edge digital technology, with meticulous attention to creating memorable moments throughout the traveler’s journey. Additionally, it entails empowering employees with data-driven insights and innovative working methods to better serve Riyadh Air’s guests.

“Our aspiration is to launch our inaugural flight in 2025 and position Riyadh Air at the forefront of digital technology and innovation within the aviation industry. This entails adopting the best international sustainability and safety practices to provide an outstanding travel experience for our guests, both locally and internationally,” stated Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air. “IBM Consulting will be our primary partner in driving us toward this vision, leveraging their deep expertise in managing complex systems and integration programs, along with their knowledge of the travel industry.”

“We are honored to partner with Riyadh Air and support them in ushering in a new era for the Kingdom’s aviation industry,” remarked John Granger, Senior Vice President of IBM Consulting. “A technology foundation built on an open, hybrid cloud approach and AI can equip them with the flexibility and agility required to fulfill their goal of delivering an exceptional travel experience to their guests.”

IBM Consulting will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining Riyadh Air’s hybrid cloud integration platform. Leveraging IBM CloudPak for Integration and Red Hat OpenShift, this platform will offer integration tools to connect applications and data, delivering a unified and user-friendly experience.

Riyadh Air’s digital and technology strategy aligns with its mission and is in harmony with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to lead the aviation industry and transform the country, given its strategic global location, into a significant aviation and trade hub.

IBM Consulting specializes in accelerating business transformation by harnessing hybrid cloud and AI technologies, leveraging its extensive network of partners. With deep industry and business expertise across strategy, experience design, technology, and operations, IBM Consulting has earned the trust of the world’s most innovative and valuable companies, aiding them in modernizing and securing their complex systems. Their 160,000 consultants embrace an open collaborative approach and utilize the IBM Garage co-creation method to scale ideas into tangible results. As the sole major global systems integrator within a technology company, IBM Consulting doesn’t just offer advice but actively invents and builds alongside its clients to shape the future.