IBM tech to elevate Riyadh Air’s flight

Riyadh Air will leverage IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions to drive its vision as the world’s first digital-native airline, as per an agreement between Riyadh Air and IBM. The collaboration between the two conglomerates aims to help power the Saudi Arabian airline’s mission to launch flights in 2025 while offering an elevated guest experience.

TT Bureau

IBM announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air’s guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in late 2025, the new Saudi Arabian airline sets another key building block of its journey in redefining air travel as the world’s first digital-native carrier. The announcement took place at the third edition of The FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit, where senior executives from both IBM and Riyadh Air, including Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation in the aviation sector.

Building a world-class airline requires more than just aircraft and infrastructure; it demands an intelligent digital foundation that anticipates passenger needs, streamlines operations, and empowers employees. Riyadh Air is embracing this challenge by making AI the driving force behind its transformation.

Boukadida said: “Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travellers from the Kingdom and beyond. As we move closer to our first flight later in 2025, our vision is to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience by expanding our reach, pioneering innovations, and redefining industry standards. By deepening our collaboration with IBM, we are harnessing the power of AI, from intelligent customer interactions to optimised flight operations, to set a new benchmark for the future of aviation.”

This agreement aims to strengthen Riyadh Air’s position as a truly digital-native airline, building on IBM’s AI-driven products and solutions together with IBM Consulting as its lead systems integrator.

IBM’s watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, will serve as the foundation for Riyadh Air’s AI platform, driving mission-critical functions and fostering open innovation with multi-model AI. The new platform will be built with a focus on data security, privacy, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI adoption. Riyadh Air will also leverage Agentic AI to deploy autonomous bots to enable seamless and personalised system interactions.

Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting, said: “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. Together, we are supercharging our teams with AI to enhance traveller experiences, optimise 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.