Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new digitally-native national carrier, has entered into a major strategic partnership with Mastercard to develop a comprehensive financial and payments ecosystem for the airline.
The alliance will see the two companies collaborate on a range of initiatives, from co-branded consumer cards to a “global-first” B2B settlement solution for the travel trade.
Capitalising on a clean slate
As a new carrier with no legacy systems to overhaul, Riyadh Air is positioning itself to build a modern financial stack from the ground up. The partnership aims to leverage this “clean sheet” advantage to create an integrated digital ecosystem that spans the entire passenger journey.
Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer at Riyadh Air, commented on the unique opportunity: “We are fortunate to be in a highly unique situation where we can implement many different solutions at the same time, from integrated payments and rewards to premium airport experiences and innovative virtual payment solutions. This collaboration enables us to deliver exceptional journeys for our guests around the world.”
Consumer and B2B innovation
The collaboration will result in the launch of Riyadh Air-branded Mastercard credit and prepaid cards, set to roll out to Saudi residents in late 2026. These digital-first cards will be fully integrated into the airline’s mobile app, allowing users to apply, manage features, and track rewards—such as flights and upgrades—within a single interface.
On the B2B front, the partnership plans to introduce an airline-branded virtual card program for travel trade settlements—a move Riyadh Air claims is a global first for an airline. This solution is designed to offer travel agents and intermediaries improved efficiency, security, and reconciliation capabilities.
Dr. Dimitrios Dosis, president, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mastercard, said: “Together with Riyadh Air, we are creating an integrated digitally-native ecosystem that delivers value at every touchpoint—for guests, travel agents, airlines and hospitality partners—while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a global travel hub.”
A centre for innovation
To sustain this digital momentum, the partners have also committed to establishing a joint Center of Excellence. This hub will focus on designing and testing new payment solutions, leveraging “agentic innovation” and shared data insights to respond rapidly to changing market needs.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals, as the Kingdom invests heavily in infrastructure and tourism to diversify its economy. According to Mastercard’s Travel Trends Report 2025, Riyadh is already experiencing a sharp surge in passenger traffic, reflecting the country’s growing status as a global transit hub.
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