Riyadh Air and IBM have launched the world’s first AI-native airline, built entirely on artificial intelligence with no legacy systems. The AI-driven model unifies operations, employee workflows and guest experiences, enabling real-time decision making, personalised service and greater efficiency as the airline prepares for commercial launch in 2026. (Image: PR Newswire)
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Riyadh Air09 December 2025.
Riyadh Air and IBM have announced a landmark achievement in global aviation with the launch of what they describe as the world’s first fully AI-native airline. Revealed at IBM Think Riyadh 2025, the announcement positions Riyadh Air as a next-generation carrier built entirely on artificial intelligence from inception, without the constraints of legacy technology.
Rather than retrofitting digital tools onto outdated infrastructure, Riyadh Air has been engineered from day one as an intelligent enterprise. Its AI-driven operating model is designed to unify employee workflows, guest interactions, financial systems and real-time operational decision-making—creating a new standard for agility, personalization and efficiency in the airline industry.
A Three-Year Digital Transformation Built from a Clean Slate
The transformation is the result of a three-year strategic partnership between Riyadh Air and IBM Consulting. Acting as the prime digital integrator, IBM brought together 59 workstreams and more than 60 global technology partners, including leading providers in cloud, data, mobile, and enterprise software. Using its AI-powered IBM Consulting Advantage delivery platform and watsonx Orchestrate, IBM designed and executed Riyadh Air’s end-to-end enterprise technology ecosystem.
With proving flights already underway and the airline’s first commercial service scheduled for early 2026, the program has now reached a pivotal operational milestone.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, said the airline made a deliberate decision to avoid conventional technology architecture:
“We chose not to inherit fifty years of industry complexity. Instead, with IBM, we built a digital airline from the ground up—one that’s designed for continuous evolution and sets a new pathway for the next generation of global carriers.”
Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President at IBM Consulting, added:
“By embedding AI at the core of the enterprise rather than at the edges, Riyadh Air is establishing a blueprint for how modern organizations can be built to adapt in real time. This is not just a technology shift—it’s a reinvention of how airlines operate.”
AI at the Core of the Employee and Guest Experience
Riyadh Air’s AI-native design places equal emphasis on people, productivity and personalisation, reshaping how both employees and travelers interact with the airline.
Smarter Digital Workplace for Employees
The airline is deploying an AI-driven digital workplace where employees access HR, operations and internal services through a single chat-based interface powered by AI agents. As Riyadh Air rapidly scales its workforce over the next 12 months, this platform will automate routine processes, accelerate self-service, and simplify management support.
AI-Enabled Crew and Frontline Operations
Cabin crew and ground teams will use AI-powered mobile applications that are deeply integrated into the airline’s operations. Through watsonx Orchestrate, Riyadh Air is building an agentic AI concierge for employees—a proactive, context-aware system that suggests real-time actions based on customer needs. For example, crew could be prompted to assist a passenger at risk of missing a connection with fast-track services.
Next-Generation Customer Care
Riyadh Air’s customer support model blends AI-enabled voice bots, agent-assist tools, and human expertise. These systems use live contextual data to anticipate traveler needs, helping agents deliver faster, more personalised support while preserving a distinctly human service experience.
Operational Intelligence as a Growth Engine
Beyond customer engagement, Riyadh Air’s AI framework is deeply embedded in financial and operational performance. IBM Consulting has implemented a unified enterprise performance management platform that integrates financial, operational and commercial data across the business.
This platform automates planning, forecasting, budgeting and performance analysis—giving leadership real-time visibility into route profitability, cost optimization, and network performance. With predictive AI guiding decision-making, Riyadh Air is positioned to rapidly adapt to market demand while continuously reinvesting in innovation.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision for Global Connectivity
The AI-native airline strategy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and transform the Kingdom into a major global aviation and tourism hub. Riyadh Air is targeting over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, serving millions of passengers annually and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role in international air connectivity.
Owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air was launched in 2023 as a digitally led, full-service premium carrier. The airline has committed to operating a modern, fuel-efficient fleet with next-generation cabin interiors, advanced digital inflight entertainment, and cutting-edge connectivity. Sustainability and safety are core pillars of its operating philosophy, aligned with global best practices.
IBM’s Role in Shaping the AI Enterprise
IBM brings decades of enterprise expertise in hybrid cloud, AI and mission-critical infrastructure. Through platforms such as Red Hat OpenShift, watsonx, and its global consulting organization, IBM supports digital transformations across industries including aviation, finance, healthcare and government. Its work with Riyadh Air reflects IBM’s growing role in building large-scale, AI-driven enterprises from first principles.
Together, Riyadh Air and IBM have created a blueprint for the next era of aviation—one where artificial intelligence is not an add-on, but the foundation of every experience, decision and interaction.
SOurce: IBM
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