A NEW airline partnership with Delta will soon make flying to the Middle East more accessible. Riyadh Air, a Saudi Arabian carrier, hopes to take on passengers in 2025 with the help of multiple collaborative partnerships, including Delta . The "digital native" carrier, founded in March 2023, will provide standard airline services.
"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," Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air's chief financial officer, said in a press statement . He added that they're "adopting the best international sustainability and safety practices to deliver an exceptional travel experience for our guests locally and internationally." Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudia Arabia's main investment arm, owns the airline.
The investing company, which expanded its travel ventures to boost the country's tourism, is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. While the airline's first passenger-carrying flight is a year out, it has already formed valuable partnerships with high-profile airlines and other companies. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement that the "strategic agreement" will bolster premium offerings across North America and Saudi Arabia.
"This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta's mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits, and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Bastian. "Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta's commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we're looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. Planned Delta routes include future nonstop flights between the US and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Alongside Delta, Riyadh Air has also onboarded IBM Consulting as a leading technology collaborator. "IBM Consulting will be our principal partner driving us towards our vision with their deep expertise in managing large complex systems and integration programs as well as their expertise in the travel industry," said Boukadida. "We're proud to be Riyadh Air's partner and help them bring this new era of the Kingdom's aviation industry to life," said John Granger, senior vice president of IBM Consulting.
"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." Equally as impressive is the airline's $43.9 million deal with soccer team Atlético de Madrid.
The agreement, signed in August 2023, will include the airline's presence on the team's shirts. “We believe that this partnership is a perfect match, as both Riyadh Air and Atlético share a commitment to excellence and a passion for connecting people and cultures around the world," said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. The airline debuted its first aircraft livery at the June 2023 Paris Airshow, setting the stage to connect the country to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030 .
"This airline created global waves when we recently launched our stunning livery, and with this partnership, once again, we are surprising the world as we move towards our maiden flight in 2025," said Douglas. Douglas has also detailed the carrier's ambitious plans to Executive Traveller , which include visions for direct flights to Australia and New Zealand. "In the early stage of building our network, we’re more likely to put on a ‘thick route’ into Singapore, giving people a wonderful guest experience on Riyadh Air.
.. and the final leg (to Australia or New Zealand) on an equally incredible product and experience with Singapore Airlines.
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