Move aligns with Saudi government’s goal of a cashless society
Customers of soon-to-be-operational Saudi Arabian carrier Riyadh Air will be able to book and pay for flights via online shopping portal Noon.
The collaboration between the Public Investment Fund-owned companies will integrate the transaction gateway into the airline’s system, boosting processing capabilities and ensuring secure transactions.
The partnership will provide travellers benefits such as alternative payment options.
The move comes amid the Saudi government’s push for a cashless society by encouraging consumers to switch to cards for financial transactions.
According to data from Saudi Central Bank, digital wallet usage surged from 315,000 transactions in 2018 to 17 million in 2022, which accounts for more than half the country’s population.
The partnership reflects Riyadh Air’s ongoing commitment to innovation since its launch in March 2023.
The airline has worked with global partners, such as Lufthansa Systems, IBM Consulting, Accenture and Microsoft to improve its services and operations, aiming to set new standards in aviation sustainability and passenger experience.
This deal comes on the back of Riyadh Air’s agreement with CellPoint Digital in June to integrate advanced payment technology.
Based at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the airline’s commercial operations are scheduled to start in 2025.
