Riyadh Air – Saudi Arabia’s new digital-native airline – has signed a strategic partnership with Almatar, Saudi Arabia’s leading online travel agency, to enable direct integration with the company’s retailing capabilities.
The partnership marks another step towards the operational launch of Riyadh Air, at a date yet to be revealed, but flagged to be later this year.
A clue to the launch date could be that the airline has acquired slots at London Heathrow airport from 25 October.
The airline said the partnership with Almatar “marks a new chapter in digital aviation, empowering both parties to deliver richer and more dynamic travel experiences through real-time pricing, personalised offers, and seamless booking” across Riyadh Air’s international network.
By the end of 2030, Riyadh Air plans to serve every capital city in Europe, in addition to large capitals in the Far East and Central Asia.
"In the early stage of building our network, we’re more likely to put on a ‘thick route’ into Singapore Changi, giving people a wonderful guest experience on Riyadh Air – and on an RX codeshare ticket, the final leg [to Australia or New Zealand] on an equally incredible product and experience with Singapore Airlines," the airline's chief executive, Tony Douglas, said recently.
Where Riyadh Air has been busy is in the signing of dozens of agreements with sales and distribution partners in more than 125 countries.
Partnerships with travel technology distributors include Amadeus, Sabre, TPConnects, Verteil Technologies and Air Retailer.
The airline said the technologies will enhance the airline’s ability to showcase and distribute scalable, modern retailing solutions.
“These partnerships will highlight dynamic pricing, and personalised travel offers from different global business touchpoints as part of the airline’s digital vision and modern distribution strategy,” said an airline spokesperson.
The government-backed airline has previously announced a plan to reach a network spanning 100 destinations by 2030 and a fleet of at least 132 aircraft, although none – including Airbus A321neos and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners – has yet been delivered.
What information that has been released indicates that Europe, US and the UK will be among the first see see the airline’s lavender and gold
In the cabin, Riyadh is installing Panasonic’s MI studio, a full-featured interactive design tool which creates new levels of personalisation at the seatback for dynamic and context-aware interactives. The system allows airlines to speak directly to various guest personae through different loyalty schemes, flight themes, locations, and promotional offers by tier, airline route or cabin class.