• The two companies announce a strategic global partnershipincluding multiple elements across enterprise, brand,consumer and guest experience
• The partners will develop a portfolio of innovative consumerproducts including Riyadh Air-branded credit and prepaidcards built for the next generation of travelers
• As a global first, Riyadh Air will introduce airline-brandedvirtual card program to support travel agents and otherB2B transactions
• The extensive partnership will include the co-development ofa dedicated center of excellence to design, test and scale new solutions
Riyadh Air andMastercard today unveiled a bold strategic alliance that bringstogether payments, travel and technology to reshape how peopleand businesses experience global travel. With no legacyprograms in place, Riyadh Air is in a unique position to jointlycreate an extensive financial and payment ecosystem that isunprecedented from day one. The collaboration introduces apowerful suite of innovations spanning consumer payments,premium airport experiences and next-generation B2B travelpayments – positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of globaltravel evolution.
A New Era of Seamless, Reward-Driven Travel
As the new national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia andwith a strong commitment to be a digital native, thecollaboration will see the launch of Riyadh Air-brandedMastercard credit and prepaid cards.
Designed to turn everyday spending into extraordinary travel,the cards will allow cardholders to earn flights, upgrades,lifestyle rewards and exclusive experiences, all seamlesslyembedded within the Riyadh Air ecosystem. Set to roll out toSaudi residents in late 2026, the digital-first cards will be fullyintegrated into the Riyadh Air mobile app, enabling guests toapply, activate, manage features and track rewards effortlessly inone place.
“This partnership reflects Mastercard’s role in creatingmeaningful solutions, paving the way for smart, secure andseamless payments,” said Dr. Dimitrios Dosis, President,Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.“Together with Riyadh Air, we are creating an integrateddigitally-native ecosystem that delivers value at everytouchpoint—for guests, travel agents, airlines and hospitalitypartners—while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a globaltravel hub.”
“Our deep collaboration with Mastercard clearly reflects notonly our commitment to be a digital native airline but strongconfidence in our future trajectory. It allows us to build a travelexperience that is seamless, digital and distinctly differentiated,”said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air.“We are fortunate to be in a highly unique situation where wecan implement many different solutions at the same time, fromintegrated payments and rewards to premium airport experiencesand innovative virtual payment solutions. This collaborationenables us to deliver exceptional journeys for our guests aroundthe world.”
Modernizing the Travel Trade with global-first B2Bpayments solutions
Extending beyond the guest experience, Riyadh Air has alsobecome the first airline globally to introduce an airline-branded virtual card program for travel trade settlements.Through this streamlined payment solution, Riyadh Air will beoffering travel intermediaries worldwide improved efficiency,security and reconciliation while unlocking new growthopportunities across the travel value chain.
Co-Creating the Future of Travel Innovation
To foster a culture of learning, experimentation, and innovation,Mastercard and Riyadh Air will establish a joint center ofexcellence, a platform to design, test, and scale new solutions,leveraging disruptive technologies and real-world use cases.
Focusing on agentic innovation, shared data insights, andupskilling the next generation of talent, the hub will enableMastercard and Riyadh Air to respond rapidly to market needs.
Powering Saudi Arabia’s Rise as a Global Travel Hub
As demand for travel to and from Saudi Arabia accelerates –driven by economic diversification, infrastructure investmentand tourism growth – this alliance supports the Kingdom’smomentum by modernizing financial flows and enhancing theend-to-end travel experience.
According to Mastercard’s Travel Trends Report 2025, Riyadhis experiencing a sharp surge in passenger traffic, reflectingSaudi Arabia’s accelerating emergence as a global travel andbusiness hub. Strategic investments are fueling job creation andbusiness mobility, while world-class tourism and leisureinfrastructure is reshaping the Kingdom’s appeal forinternational travelers.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
About Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air is the world’s newest, world-class global airline. Owned by PIF and launched in March 2023, the digitally led, full-service carrier that adopts robust, global sustainability and safety practices across its advanced fleet of aircraft. Riyadh Air equips its aircraft with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next-generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. Riyadh Air aims to connect guests to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030 through offering an exceptional guest experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart. For more information, visit: www.riyadhair.com
For any enquiries, contact media@riyadhair.com
Source: AETOSWire
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