Travelport, a global technology leader in travel bookings, has announced a new multi-year distribution agreement with Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly established national carrier. This strategic partnership is set to power Riyadh Air’s global retailing strategy by enabling the distribution of both New Distribution Capability (NDC) and traditional content through Travelport’s extensive marketplace.
As a digitally native airline owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air is prioritizing modern retail technology. Under this agreement, the airline will use NDC technology as its primary method for integration, while maintaining legacy content as a secondary option. This approach allows Riyadh Air to deliver dynamic, personalized travel offers to a worldwide network of travel agencies and corporate buyers.
Strategic Goals and Vision 2030 The collaboration is a significant step toward realizing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Riyadh Air aims to connect to over 100 destinations by the end of the decade, positioning Riyadh as a global aviation hub.
Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Partnering with Travelport gives us the global reach, distribution power, and retailing capabilities needed to support our goal of flying to over 100 destinations by 2030. This partnership is not only about enabling seamless travel experiences, but also about contributing to the broader national vision of economic diversification.”
Technological Integration Travelport will integrate directly with Riyadh Air’s Offer and Order host system, ensuring seamless connectivity. To assist agencies in navigating these new offerings, Travelport will utilize its Content Curation Layer (CCL). This AI and machine-learning-driven tool normalizes content from multiple sources, making it easier for agents to compare NDC offers alongside traditional fares and delivering accurate, intuitive search results.
Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport, commented on the deal: “Riyadh Air represents a new generation of digitally native carriers, and our multi-source content approach will enable them to deliver personalized, retail-ready offers to travelers through our agency network. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to supporting innovative airlines as they modernize the travel experience.”
About Riyadh Air Riyadh Air is a digitally native airline committed to leading the aviation industry and unlocking Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions to international tourists. With over 180 aircraft orders already placed, the airline is rapidly positioning itself as a major player in the global aviation sector.
