Insider Brief:
- Riyadh Air partners with IBM to build an AI-driven airline, integrating IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting AI solutions to enhance passenger experiences, streamline operations, and empower employees as it prepares for its 2025 launch.
- IBM will oversee AI deployment, using watsonx as the foundation for AI-driven operations and introducing Agentic AI for autonomous bots, AI-powered virtual assistants, and IBM Garage methodology to drive automation and digital transformation.
- The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, positioning Riyadh Air as a global aviation hub and the world’s first digital-native airline, leveraging AI to anticipate customer needs and set new industry benchmarks.
- IBM’s proven expertise in AI transformation and immersive engagement model played a key role in expanding the partnership, ensuring scalable, secure, and responsible AI adoption tailored to Riyadh Air’s digital goals.
- Image Credit: IBM Newsroom, Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, at FII PRIORITY MIAMI 2025 Summit
PRESS RELEASE — Today, 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 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, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, 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.
“Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travelers from the Kingdom and beyond,” said Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer. “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 optimized 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. 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 personalized system interactions.
IBM will oversee the installation and deployment of watsonx, as well as develop AI use cases utilizing IBM Garage methodology to drive automation and digital transformation.
With IBM Consulting Advantage, an 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.
SOURCE: IBM Newsroom
