Riyadh Air have announced that they will become the world’s first ‘AI-native airline’. A strategic partnership with IBM will see generative and agentic AI deployed across the Riyadh Air value chain.
Announced at IBM Think Riyadh 2025, the collaboration draws on the expertise of IBM Consulting and the IBM watsonx Orchestrate platform to integrate AI into Riyadh Air’s operations from the beginning. IBM have helped co-ordinate 59 workstreams and liaise with 60 of the airline’s partners, including Adobe, FLYR, and Microsoft.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, explained:
We had a clear choice—be the last airline built on legacy technology or the first built on the platforms that will define the next decade of aviation.
With IBM, we’ve stripped out fifty years of legacy in a single stroke. Riyadh Air isn’t just built for today; it’s built for the future and creating a pathway for many airlines to follow in the years to come.
The new Saudi Arabian airline expects to launch to the public in 2026. It is currently executing private passenger flights for invited guests as it nails the details of its service, a campaign the airline has called ‘Pathway to Perfect’. The partnership with IBM will consolidate Riyadh Air’s ambition of becoming a digital-first, modern carrier that can compete with regional juggernauts such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Riyadh Air and IBM confirmed that AI would be deployed across the value chain, including;
- AI agents for Riyadh Air employees to support HR functions. This will provide essential support as the airline doubles its workforce in the next year.
- Agentic AI concierge for employees, built using IBM watsonx Orchestrate. The platform will offer proactive suggestions and advice so that cabin and ground crews can offer a personalised service.
- Customer service voice and chat bots to ensure the airline is providing passengers with 24/7 support and care.
Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting, said:
By embedding AI into the very foundation of its operations, Riyadh Air is setting a new blueprint for what it means to build a modern, adaptive enterprise from the ground up.
As a company born in the AI era, Riyadh Air is redefining what’s possible in aviation and it’s been a privilege for IBM to help make that vision a reality.
Join us at Aviation Festival Asia 2026, where a Fireside Chat with Riyadh Air will delve deep into their innovative payments strategy.
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