Riyadh Air has chosen Sabre Corporation as its first global distribution partner in a major move to enhance its travel retailing and distribution strategy.
The agreement enables the newly established Saudi national carrier to leverage Sabre’s extensive global marketplace and advanced technology to distribute its full range of content, including both New Distribution Capability (NDC) and traditional fares.
Strategic Partnership Expands Sabre’s Role
This new distribution agreement builds on an already strong collaboration between the two companies, following Riyadh Air’s previous selection of Sabre’s Offer Management capabilities through SabreMosaic™. By deepening its partnership with Sabre, Riyadh Air will now gain access to Sabre’s multi-source content distribution platform, which integrates NDC and traditional airline content into a single streamlined channel.
The goal is to provide a modern, dynamic retailing environment that supports personalized, scalable offers across global sales channels. This integration will empower Riyadh Air to engage with a broader network of travel agencies, corporate buyers, and individual travelers while improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How Sabre Will Support Riyadh Air
With its deep experience in travel technology and global distribution, Sabre is uniquely positioned to help Riyadh Air meet its ambitious retailing and expansion goals. The partnership centers around four key benefits:
- Multi-Source Content Integration: Seamlessly merges NDC and traditional content into one platform for consistency and control.
- Global Distribution Reach: Connects Riyadh Air with thousands of travel agencies and buyers in over 160 countries.
- Personalized Offers: Uses advanced data and AI to deliver dynamic pricing and customized travel bundles.
- Operational Scalability: Prepares Riyadh Air for rapid growth while maintaining quality and responsiveness.
Alessandro Ciancimino, Vice President of Airline Distribution for EMEA at Sabre Travel Solutions, stated that Sabre’s technology will help Riyadh Air “modernize the travel experience and meet the evolving expectations of today’s travelers.”
Technology at the Core of Riyadh Air’s Vision
Riyadh Air is positioning itself to become the world’s first digitally native airline, a vision that aligns closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. From its inception, the airline has placed innovation, seamless user experiences, and technological advancement at the heart of its strategy.
As part of this effort, Riyadh Air earlier selected SabreMosaic™ to handle its Offer Management operations. SabreMosaic™ enables airlines to generate real-time, traveler-specific offers that optimize both user satisfaction and airline revenue. The tool supports retailing decisions based on customer behavior, competitive landscape, and availability.
Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air, emphasized the importance of this strategic relationship, stating that Sabre’s technology will “enhance booking experiences through dynamic, personalized content.” He also highlighted that the agreement “complements our earlier selection of SabreMosaic™, strengthening the foundation of our long-term collaboration.”
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s National Goals
Riyadh Air was created under the Kingdom’s broader strategy to transform its economy through tourism and aviation. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the airline will support both the Saudi Aviation Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy by unlocking the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, and natural destinations to international travelers.
The collaboration with Sabre contributes to this mission by ensuring Riyadh Air can reach travelers across multiple sales platforms, provide flexible travel solutions, and scale quickly while maintaining a superior standard of service. The use of Sabre’s cutting-edge technology will also help create new jobs and stimulate growth in the aviation and tourism sectors.
Key Benefits of the Sabre-Riyadh Air Agreement
| Benefit | Impact on Riyadh Air |
|---|---|
| Multi-Source Content Distribution | Combines NDC and traditional fares for seamless access |
| Global Marketplace Access | Expands visibility through 160+ countries |
| Personalized Travel Offers | Enables dynamic pricing and custom packages |
| Technology Integration | Supports end-to-end retailing and merchandising goals |
| Vision 2030 Alignment | Promotes Saudi Arabia’s tourism and economic diversification |
This partnership marks a pivotal chapter in Riyadh Air’s rapid development as a future-facing airline and highlights Sabre’s role as a transformative force in the aviation technology space. Together, they aim to redefine the future of airline retailing and raise the bar for global air travel experiences.
