Riyadh Air, IBM partner to Launch World's First AI-Native Airline
Not constrained by legacy systems or incremental productivity gains, Riyadh Air will begin with a clean digital slate to use AI to create new revenue opportunities and reinvest in innovation.
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Software giant IBM announced a partnership with Riyadh Air to set up the world’s first AI-native airline during IBM Think Riyadh 2025.
Designed without legacy patchwork, these AI-driven operations will provide the foundation for transforming guest and employee experiences and setting a new benchmark for innovation in the aviation industry.
Not constrained by legacy systems or incremental productivity gains, Riyadh Air will begin with a clean digital slate to use AI to create new revenue opportunities and reinvest in innovation.
“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,” said Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer, Riyadh Air. “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.”
Owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air will leverage IBM watsonx Orchestrate to operate as an AI-native enterprise.
With test flights already in motion and its first commercial launch slated for early 2026, Riyadh Air’s three-year partnership with IBM has now entered a critical phase.
“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,” said Mohamad Ali, senior vice president, IBM Consulting.
As a part of the world’s first AI-native airline, Riyadh Air will infuse generative AI and agentic AI capabilities into workflows. It will introduce a personalized digital workplace powered by AI agents, giving employees a single, chat-first entry point to HR, simplifying workflows and accelerating key employee and manager self-service capabilities. AI-powered mobile applications will create a connected and integrated employee and guest journey, while IBM watsonx Orchestrate will be used to offer an agentic AI concierge experience for employees and guests.
Lastly, AI‑enabled voice bots and agent assist will help customer care agents deliver attentive, personalized support.
