Riyadh Air and IBM: Revolutionizing Air Travel with AI

Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's new national airline, is set to revolutionize the aviation industry by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance guest and employee experiences. In a strategic partnership with IBM, Riyadh Air aims to create an intelligent digital foundation that streamlines operations, empowers employees, and delivers a seamless, personalized travel experience for passengers.



Riyadh Air, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is planning to commence operations in early 2025, targeting over 100 global destinations by 2030. The airline's ambitious expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to serve 330 million air passengers annually by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global aviation hub.

IBM, a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI solutions, will serve as the lead systems integrator for Riyadh Air, deploying its watsonx AI portfolio across the airline's operations. This comprehensive approach combines proprietary technology with consulting services, enabling IBM to capture higher value from the client relationship.



The partnership will focus on several key areas to elevate guest and employee experiences:

1. AI-powered Virtual Assistants: IBM will deploy AI-powered Virtual Assistants for customer and employee self-service, enhancing efficiency and service. These virtual assistants will handle various tasks, such as answering queries, providing flight information, and assisting with bookings, creating a more seamless and personalized experience for both customers and employees.
2. AI for Flight Operations: IBM will leverage AI to optimize flight operations, such as predictive maintenance, route optimization, and real-time weather analysis. By using AI, Riyadh Air can improve flight safety, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
3. AI for Customer Engagement: IBM will help Riyadh Air create a hyper-personalized guest journey by utilizing AI for customer engagement. This includes analyzing customer data to provide tailored recommendations, offers, and services, as well as anticipating customer needs and preferences to create a more enjoyable and memorable travel experience.
4. AI for Employee Empowerment: IBM will develop AI-driven applications to empower Riyadh Air employees, enabling them to serve guests more effectively. These applications may include AI-powered tools for managing airline operations, such as crew scheduling, resource allocation, and real-time updates on flight status and passenger information.
5. AI for In-flight Entertainment: IBM will work on creating immersive in-flight entertainment experiences using AI. This may involve developing AI-driven content recommendations, personalized entertainment options, and interactive experiences for passengers during their flights.

By implementing these AI use cases and applications, IBM will help Riyadh Air create a more intelligent digital foundation, streamline operations, and empower employees to deliver an exceptional travel experience for passengers. This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global aviation hub.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Riyadh Air and IBM represents a significant step towards revolutionizing the aviation industry by leveraging AI to enhance guest and employee experiences. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to expand its aviation and tourism sectors, this partnership sets the stage for a more intelligent, personalized, and enjoyable travel experience for passengers worldwide.