Riyadh Air, the new Saudi airline, is preparing to announce a major deal to acquire narrow-body aircraft in the near future, according to local media.
Chief executive Tony Douglas said the airline would purchase a “significant” number of narrow-body aircraft. Furthermore, the company is present at the WTM 2023.
A major order for Boeing?
The airline announced several weeks ago an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s. This would be imminent.
Details of the number of aircraft ordered were not given at this stage, but the deal was seen as a “clear signal of intent”.
Speculation is growing that the order could be officially announced at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, between November 13 and 17.
Riyadh Air aims to serve more than 100 destinations
The airline will operate from the Saudi capital (Riyadh) and aims to connect travelers around the world to more than 100 destinations by 2030.
In a previous statement, Tony Douglas outlined the ambitions of the new national carrier: “Riyadh Air will be an international, regional and national carrier obviously within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia itself. We will therefore touch all points of the network.”
The launch of Riyadh Air aligns with PIF’s mission to boost key sectors of the Saudi economy, support the national tourism strategy and create new employment opportunities.
IBM Consulting in support of Riyadh Air
Meanwhile, Riyadh Air and IBM announced the signing of a strategic agreement in which IBM Consulting will be the main systems integrator to assist in the creation and orchestration of the technology base.
Today, Riyadh Air has selected IBM Consulting to support the development of key business and technology capabilities underpinning the strategy.
This includes the implementation and integration of more than 50 airline industry solutions and core technology capabilities, including security, infrastructure, integration and data platforms, using a hybrid cloud approach .
IBM will coordinate several partners
IBM will also orchestrate the work of more than 40 partners by providing program and technical governance, project management, quality assurance, change management and communications, and training.
This collaboration is expected to help position Riyadh Air strategically within a broader ecosystem to deliver digital innovations and exceptional experiences to travelers and guests.
Riyadh Air is putting in place the means to compete with Emirates and Qatar Airways
Riyadh Air aims to create a world-class airline offering a personalized and seamless customer experience, powered by AI and cutting-edge digital technology, paying obsessive attention to details that create memorable micro-moments throughout the journey of the traveler.
It also involves empowering employees with data-driven insights and new ways of working to help the airline better serve its customers
