IBM is helping new Saudi airline Riyadh Air create, build and orchestrate technology to improve the travel experience.

IBM will be the lead systems integrator to support a foundation that can create the airline’s digital and technology strategy. The US computing giant will help build the key business and technology capabilities to underpin the strategy.

This includes implementing and integrating more than 50 airline industry options and core technology capabilities, including security, infrastructure, integration and data platforms, using a hybrid cloud approach. IBM will also orchestrate the work of over 40 partners by providing programme and technical governance, project management, quality assurance, change and communications management, and training.

The collaboration is expected to help Riyadh Air offer digital innovations and experiences for travellers and guests. Riyadh Air aims to create personalised and seamless experiences powered by AI and digital technology, taking care of details that create memorable micro-moments across the traveller journey. It also includes empowering employees with data-driven insights and ways of working to help Riyadh Air better serve its customers.

“Our ambition is to launch our first flight in 2025 and put Riyadh Air at the cutting edge of digital technology and innovation within the aviation industry, adopting the best international sustainability and safety practices to deliver an exceptional travel experience, for our guests locally and internationally,” said Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer at Riyadh Air. “IBM Consulting will be our principal partner driving us towards our vision with their deep expertise in managing large complex systems and integration programmes as well as their expertise in the travel industry.”

John Granger, senior vice president at IBM Consulting, added: “We’re proud to be Riyadh Air’s partner and help them bring this new era of the kingdom’s aviation industry to life. A technology foundation built with an open, hybrid cloud approach and AI can help them achieve the flexibility and agility needed to support their goal of delivering an exceptional travel experience for their guests.”

IBM will also establish and maintain Riyadh Air’s hybrid cloud integration platform. With IBM CloudPak for Integration and Red Hat OpenShift, this platform will provide integration tools to connect applications and data within a unified and simple user experience.

Riyadh Air’s digital and technology strategy supports its mission and is aligned to the kingdom’s Vision 2030 to lead the aviation industry by transforming Saudi Arabia, given its strategic location, into a global aviation and trade hub.

IBM Consulting (IBM.com/consulting) helps accelerate business transformation through hybrid cloud and AI technologies, leveraging an open ecosystem of partners. Its 160,000 consultants embrace an open way of working and apply proven co-creation method, IBM Garage, to scale ideas into outcomes.

Riyadh Air (www.riyadhair.com) is owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Launched in March 2023, the airline will be a digitally-led, full-service airline that adopts global sustainability and safety practices across its fleet. Riyadh Air aims to connect travellers to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030.