In a pivotal move to bolster its payment infrastructure, Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming national carrier, Riyadh Air, has forged a partnership with CellPoint Digital, a payment technology enterprise. This collaboration is established in anticipation of the airline’s inaugural flight operations planned for the following year.
Through this engagement, CellPoint Digital will furnish Riyadh Air with its sophisticated Payment Orchestration platform, designed to facilitate both domestic and international payment transactions with efficiency.
“As a modern airline with a focus on digital innovation, we require a payments collaborator who possesses a deep understanding of the aviation sector. The Payment Orchestration platform from CellPoint Digital equips us to deliver a digital-first travel experience and streamlines the booking process,” stated Adam Boukadida, the Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air.
Boukadida further added, “CellPoint Digital has been instrumental with their expertise and comprehensive consultancy services during the sales phase and in our efforts to establish international partnerships.”
The implementation of CellPoint Digital’s payment solution is poised to enhance Riyadh Air’s capability to manage transactions seamlessly across the globe.
Riyadh Air has set its sights on disrupting the commercial aviation landscape in Saudi Arabia, which has been historically dominated by established regional giants such as Emirates and Etihad of the UAE. To realise this vision, Riyadh Air is adopting a progressive payment methodology that emphasizes optimised transaction routing, effortless international payments, and a diverse array of payment choices for a global customer base.
Stationed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the airline is gearing up to commence commercial flights by mid-2025.
The nascent airline, backed with a $30 billion investment, has ambitious plans to establish connectivity with 100 destinations across the region and internationally by 2030. This initiative is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to transform into a leading aviation hub, promising to generate over 200,000 jobs in the process.
Peter Bellew, Riyadh Air’s Chief Operating Officer, has announced recruitment plans to onboard approximately 300 pilots and cabin crew members by spring 2025 to kick-start the airline’s operations.