Accenture to power Riyadh Air’s digital infra for 2025 launch

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Outsourcing firm Accenture has teamed up with Riyadh Air to power the airline’s digital capabilities for its much-anticipated launch in early 2025.
Under the three-year agreement, Accenture will develop Riyadh Air’s cloud-only infrastructure, cybersecurity capabilities, managed services, and operations.
Earlier this year, Riyadh Air announced the purchase of 39 Boeing Dreamliners, with options for 33 more jets – a deal that could reach $37 billion. The airline’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas also said they plan to launch their first flights in early 2025.
The partnership will aid Riyadh Air in accomplishing its goal of connecting its customers to 100 destinations by 2030.
“Accenture is pivotal in enabling Riyadh Air’s cloud-first strategy, and our unique architecture will ensure that our technology stack is future-proof and remains legacy-free. It also will be built and supported with the highest level of cybersecurity and automation in mind from its inception,” said Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida.
The airline is owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. Through this fund, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been ramping up its investment in various industries.
In its Vision 2030 roadmap, the Kingdom aims to increase the private sector’s contribution to Saudi GDP from 40% to 65% by the end of the decade. This new collaboration with Accenture aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to unlock growth paths in the tourism sector.
Accenture topped the Time Doctor OA500, an index of the world’s top 500 outsourcing firms, with $61.6 billion in annual revenues for fiscal year 2022. The firm has also expanded its portfolio this year through 30 strategic acquisitions, including Bionest in the United States, SKS Group in Germany, Morphus in Ireland, and Nautilus Consulting in the United Kingdom​.