CellPoint Digital has been at the forefront of Payment Orchestration and has been instrumental in providing payment solutions for the airline industry. They have recently announced a significant partnership with Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s budding national carrier. This collaboration is slated to provide Riyadh Air with state-of-the-art payment technologies, in line with the airline’s focus on digital innovation, as they prepare for their first commercial flight in 2025.
The alliance is set to revolutionize the airline industry by integrating CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration platform, allowing Riyadh Air to handle both local and international payments with ease. This strategic integration is in step with Riyadh Air’s mission to redefine the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia, challenging the dominance of established players like Emirates and Etihad.
Central to Riyadh Air’s strategy is a dedication to payment innovation, a key component in achieving its vision. This includes enhancing transaction routing, enabling smooth cross-border payments, and providing a variety of payment methods to suit the needs of travelers within and outside the kingdom.
Riyadh Air, taking off from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, represents a significant phase in Saudi Arabia’s aviation story. The $30 billion start-up airline is integral to the kingdom’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub, aiming to connect to 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. Riyadh Air is poised to not only enhance global connectivity but also to play a major role in job creation, with an aim to generate over 200,000 employment opportunities.
With the commercial launch targeted for mid-2025, Riyadh Air is gearing up its operational framework. COO Peter Bellew has revealed plans to onboard about 300 pilots and cabin crew by spring 2025, showcasing the airline’s dedication to its vision and its intent to become a formidable force in the aviation market.
“While legacy airlines are often constrained by outdated technology, a next-generation airline like Riyadh Air has the advantage to begin with tailored, contemporary technology,” Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital, stated. “Our Payment Orchestration solution, designed to meet the unique challenges of global airlines, will enable Riyadh Air to offer customers their preferred payment methods, while better managing their cash flow and expenses.”
CellPoint Digital’s platform utilizes sophisticated routing algorithms that consider variables like pricing, currency, processing power, and the geographical location of processors. This enhances transaction success rates and minimizes declined transactions, which helps reduce booking abandonment and increases revenue for Riyadh Air.
Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air, stressed the importance of partnering with a payment expert familiar with the air travel sector, especially for an innovative airline like theirs. Boukadida praised CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration platform for streamlining the digital experience for travelers and enhancing the booking process. He also acknowledged the extensive consultancy services provided by CellPoint Digital, which have been critical in forming international alliances and advancing Riyadh Air’s digital prowess.