Riyadh Air targets digital innovation, global expansion

Arab News

12-02-2025

RIYADH: Riyadh Air is enhancing the travel experience by leveraging digital technology to simplify bookings and airport procedures, catering to Saudi Arabia's young and tech-savvy population, its CEO said.
Speaking at the Public Investment Fund Private Sector Forum, Tony Douglas highlighted Saudi Arabia's young population, noting its high iOS usage per capita and strong digital-native environment.
Expected to start operations later this year, the new national carrier — backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund — aims to connect over 100 international cities by 2030 and contribute more than $20 billion to the Kingdom's economy.
'We are a new airline unencumbered by legacy,' Douglas said, emphasizing Riyadh Air's digital-first approach. He compared the airline's booking experience to e-commerce platforms like Noon.com and Amazon, allowing passengers to bundle multiple tickets in a single transaction.
Riyadh Air is also exploring biometric verification to replace traditional travel documents.
'Your face is the transaction receipt. Going forward, the face will be the ticket when you go through the airport,' Douglas said. 'Your face then becomes your passport.'
By integrating facial recognition into airport processes, Riyadh Air aims to streamline passenger journeys and set a new benchmark for digital transformation in aviation.
The airline has already secured major partnerships, including a deal with Delta Air Lines. Douglas highlighted the speed of the agreement, noting that Delta's CEO Ed Bastian finalized the partnership within 30 days of visiting Saudi Arabia — an unprecedented timeline in the industry.
He said the warmth of the Kingdom and the opportunity here played a key role, adding: 'We want to bring as many people here directly as possible so they can see for themselves.'
Riyadh Air has also partnered with Singapore Airlines, known for its industry-leading customer service.
'We did it again to set the bar absolutely where it should be, with the Kingdom's new national carrier, working with the global A-listers,' Douglas noted.
The airline is making significant local investments, including a SR2.3 billion ($613.2 million) catering contract with CATRION and a fuel and sustainability deal with Aramco.
Riyadh Air's fleet expansion is underway, with its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Jamila, set to be joined by additional aircraft later this year.
'We're currently engaged in what we would call an extra wide-body campaign,' Douglas said, hinting at an upcoming aircraft order announcement in the second quarter of this year.
The airline is also prioritizing Saudi talent, with plans to recruit tens of thousands of pilots, cabin crew, and support staff.
'Wherever possible, where it's capability driven and commercially appropriate, we will always favor going Saudi first,' Douglas said.
He positioned Riyadh Air as a key enabler of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to improve global connectivity and facilitate international business and tourism.
'Importantly, we want to connect all of you, your friends, your family, your colleagues, to the world, and of course, for the world to have better connectivity to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' he said.