Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has signed a global distribution agreement with Spain-based Amadeus, a leading travel technology provider.
The strategic move will give the airline access to one of the world’s largest networks of travel agents, bolstering its growth strategy and supporting the Kingdom’s transformation drive under Vision 2030.
According to an Amadeus statement issued Thursday, the partnership will enable Riyadh Air to join the Amadeus Travel Platform, connecting it with travel agents and distributors in over 190 countries.
The agreement is aimed at ensuring the airline’s offerings reach travelers worldwide, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a global tourism destination and reinforcing its role as a central hub for aviation and travel.
Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, said the company’s mission is to build a world-class airline that embodies Saudi Arabia’s ambitions.
He added that the partnership with Amadeus provides the global reach, distribution strength, and retailing capabilities needed to achieve the airline’s goal of serving more than 100 destinations by 2030.
“This collaboration is not only about enabling seamless travel experiences,” Coste said, “but also about contributing to the broader national vision of diversifying the economy, growing tourism, and enhancing global connectivity.”
The agreement also covers the future distribution of Riyadh Air’s content through Amadeus’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) framework, giving the airline greater ability to offer dynamic, personalized deals to travelers while maintaining stronger control over indirect sales strategies. These advanced capabilities will help Riyadh Air deliver a modern, flexible, customer-focused retail experience.
Maher Koubaa, Executive Vice President for Travel and Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Amadeus, described the deal as a milestone in the development of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector.
He said the launch of Riyadh Air marks a significant moment for the Kingdom’s aviation industry, and that Amadeus brings not only global reach but also advanced retailing, marketing, and data analytics tools to help the airline compete internationally.
Founded in 2023 under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Riyadh Air is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its economy, invest in tourism and infrastructure, and position the Kingdom as a global aviation hub.
Backed by the Public Investment Fund, the carrier is expected to contribute more than $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the domestic market.
