Riyadh Air and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, it has been announced.
As part of the agreement, Riyadh Air selected Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform as its preferred platform.
The announcement, they said, will see both organisations collaborating to leverage the potential of cutting-edge technologies such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, copilot experiences, the Metaverse, and Virtual Reality to enhance Riyadh Air’s offerings, services, and operational models.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Finance Officer, Riyadh Air, commented: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Microsoft as we embark on an accelerated digital enablement journey to fuel the growth and innovation within the aviation industry. Leveraging the robust Microsoft Azure platform is just the beginning; we are poised to tap into the vast network of Microsoft partnerships and harness the remarkable AI capabilities offered through Microsoft’s comprehensive suite of services & solutions, empowering Riyadh Air to grow & thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. By embracing Microsoft’s platform and solution capabilities, we aim to build a unique customer and employee experience and expedite our progress in achieving our sustainability targets.”
Riyadh Air and Microsoft will also jointly establish a Centre of Excellence to provide a structured framework for driving innovation and delivering substantial business benefits for both organsations.
The partnership also sees both parties forming a dedicated board that will actively drive efforts aligned with the Kingdom’s national sustainability agenda.
Turki Badhris, Acting General Manager at Microsoft Arabia, said: “In adopting a cloud-first approach, Riyadh Air is paving the way for the creation of intelligent new solutions that will not only reimagine new ways of working and doing business but also revolutionize the experiences of its employees and customers.”
Microsoft will also extend its technical expertise to Riyadh Air by offering guidance in architecture design, scalability, and security reviews.