Riyadh Air, the Saudi Arabian carrier that is fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced a strategic collaboration with Artefact, a premier global data and AI transformation consultancy. This alliance is set to bring a wave of AI-driven enhancements to the aviation sector. According to a press release from Riyadh Air, the partnership will be instrumental in establishing a robust data analytics framework for the airline and crafting AI-driven solutions to be integrated across its various business and organizational roles, leveraging the latest in cloud and AI technologies.
These innovative AI solutions are crafted with the vision to ‘hyper-personalize’ the travel experience of Riyadh Air’s passengers and amplify customer service using intelligent systems. Furthermore, the airline seeks to refine both its in-flight and ground operations with real-time data insights and prognostic tools, and to introduce tailored offerings of its services through effective and targeted sales channels.
Abe Dev, the Vice President of Digital & Innovation at Riyadh Air, remarks on the significance of the partnership: Our alliance with Artefact underscores Riyadh Air’s commitment to adopting state-of-the-art technologies to elevate every aspect of our guests’ journey. This venture with Artefact enhances our recent initiatives with aviation sector leaders.
Rahul Arya, the CEO and Managing Partner of Artefact MENA, also emphasized the strategic partnership’s pivotal role, committing to the creation of AI solutions designed specifically for the aviation realm. He highlighted that the synergy between Riyadh Air’s innovative vision and Artefact’s expertise in data and AI will set ‘new innovation benchmarks’ in the airline industry.
The press release notes that Riyadh Air is preparing for its inaugural flight set for 2025, with the ambition to ‘revolutionize’ air travel and redefine the standard of customer service. Capitalizing on cutting-edge innovations, Riyadh Air plans to establish connections from the Kingdom to over 100 international destinations. This expansion aligns with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy and National Tourism Strategy, which seeks to draw 330 million visitors to the Kingdom annually by 2030.