Riyadh Air is announced as the world’s first AI-native airline, with IBM partnering to embed AI across operations from employee tools to customer experience.

The initiative will power AI-driven concierge services, mobile crew connectivity, and AI voice bots that provide context-rich guidance and next-step recommendations, including fast-track options for late travelers.

Riyadh Air aims to become an AI-native enterprise serving more than 100 destinations by 2030, expanding connectivity for millions of travelers while prioritizing sustainability and safety.

On Wall Street, IBM stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus, with a recent tally of nine Buy, five Hold, and one Sell, and an average target price around $300.58.

Observers view this as part of a broader move toward AI in aviation for forecasting, disruption management, and personalization, though real-world viability remains to be proven.

For more details, media inquiries can be directed to Lily O’Brien at IBM, with the original article available on PR Newswire via Thailand Business News.

The success of Riyadh Air’s AI initiative depends on technology reliability, workforce adaptability, and passenger acceptance of AI-mediated service, with potential to set a new industry standard or become a high-profile experiment.

Industry context notes broader efforts to enhance passenger journeys through proactive, holistic customer experience, such as Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s initiatives.

The strategy emphasizes starting from scratch to avoid legacy systems, reducing staff decision fatigue and enabling personalized, digital-first travel experiences.

A key competitive rationale is real-time decision-making and personalized service via a unified data architecture and AI-ready processes, including a digital workplace and real-time crew prompts.

IBM’s solid Q3 2025 results underpin the AI push, with revenues of about $16.3 billion and growth across software, infrastructure, and consulting tied to AI.

The broader aviation industry is moving toward AI and digitalisation, with Emirates and Air Transat among others pursuing AI-native strategies while emphasizing human oversight and the essential role of people in implementation.

Operational efficiency is a core driver, with an enterprise performance management suite unifying financial, operational, and commercial data to deliver real-time insights, budgeting, forecasting, and planning for route optimization and profitability.