New Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air have announced a new partnership with Mastercard for cutting-edge collaboration on payments.
Through the agreement, Riyadh Air will become the first airline to launch an airline-branded virtual card programme for travel trade settlements. This will help travel intermediaries access more streamlined and secure payments while extending Riyadh Air’s reach across the value chain.
Additionally, Mastercard will launch Riyadh Air-branded credit and prepaid cards. These cards will be available first to Saudi residents later this year, and will be embedded in the Riyadh Air app to provide a seamless payments experience. A jointly operated ‘centre of excellence’ will focus on payments innovation, providing new opportunities for Riyadh Air and Mastercard to implement AI and upskill their workforces.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said:
Our deep collaboration with Mastercard clearly reflects not only our commitment to be a digital native airline but strong confidence in our future trajectory. It allows us to build a travel experience that is seamless, digital and distinctly differentiated.
We are fortunate to be in a highly unique situation where we can implement many different solutions at the same time, from integrated payments and rewards to premium airport experiences and innovative virtual payment solutions. This collaboration enables us to deliver exceptional journeys for our guests around the world.
Riyadh Air have branded themselves as the world’s first ‘digital-native’ and ‘AI-native’ airline. Mastercard join the carrier’s roster of partnerships with other tech giants, including IBM. Commercial service on the airline is expected to launch later this year.
Join us at Aviation Festival Asia 2026, where we’ll be joined by Amine Boulaghmen, Director of Payments, Riyadh Air .
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