Riyadh Air Huawei Digital Partnership Targets China

Riyadh Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei to develop digital travel capabilities focused on the Chinese market. The Riyadh Air Huawei digital partnership, announced today in Riyadh, will leverage cloud computing and automated technologies to support Saudi Arabia’s tourism expansion goals under Vision 2030.

The collaboration prioritizes China as a core market, where Huawei holds approximately 20% of the smartphone market according to TechInsights. Additionally, the partnership will expand Riyadh Air’s digital reach across other international markets as the airline works toward its goal of serving 100 destinations by 2030.

Key Takeaways

Riyadh Air and Huawei formalize digital collaboration through MoU signed December 16, 2025
Partnership focuses on Chinese market where Huawei has 730 million monthly active users globally
Collaboration areas include cloud services, marketing, loyalty programs, and mobility services
Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s target of 150 million tourists by 2030

China Market at Center of Strategy

The partnership reflects China’s importance to Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy. Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, stated that the Chinese market is essential to both the airline’s global expansion and the Kingdom’s tourism growth objectives.

“As the Kingdom raises its target to 150 million tourists by 2030, our partnership with Huawei strengthens our ability to deliver the digital, personalized journey Chinese travelers expect,” Coste said.

The airline plans to develop a market-specific digital ecosystem tailored to China’s social media environment and consumer preferences.

Phased Digital Development Approach

Riyadh Air and Huawei will adopt a phased implementation strategy. The initial focus will be on establishing digital infrastructure in China and select international markets. Subsequently, the partnership will expand into marketing technology, loyalty program integration, and cloud-based services.

According to the agreement, Huawei will support the airline’s digital transformation by providing expertise in mobility services and integrated digital platforms. The companies will also explore opportunities in smart aviation applications.

Technology Integration Plans

Peak Yin, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group in Saudi Arabia, emphasized the companies’ shared focus on technology-enabled travel experiences.

“Huawei is committed to supporting Riyadh Air with our technologies to co-create digital experiences for travelers from China and around the world,” Yin stated.

Riyadh Air passengers will be introduced to the airline’s digital lifestyle platform, Sfeer, through Huawei’s device ecosystem. However, specific technical implementations and timeline details were not disclosed in today’s announcement.

What’s Next

Riyadh Air, launched in March 2023 as a Public Investment Fund company, positions digital partnerships as central to its network expansion strategy. The airline has not yet begun commercial operations but continues to announce strategic partnerships ahead of its planned launch.

The partnership announcement comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates investments in its aviation sector and tourism infrastructure to support National Transformation Program objectives.