Riyadh Air and China’s TravelSky Technology have signed a Distribution Cooperation Agreement in Beijing, marking a key step in the Saudi carrier’s entry into the Chinese market and strengthening air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and China.

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on omni-channel distribution, modern airline retailing, digital innovation and passenger experience, leveraging TravelSky’s aviation technology and travel services ecosystem.

The partnership is expected to support Riyadh Air’s market entry while improving services for Chinese travel agencies, industry partners and passengers.

The agreement also provides a platform for both companies to explore further opportunities as Riyadh Air expands its international network and builds its presence in China, a key market in its global growth strategy.

Following the signing, Riyadh Air, TravelSky and FLYR will begin system integration and implementation through joint working teams and technical workshops.

The companies will also explore deeper cooperation in airline retailing, digital innovation and passenger experience.

“China is one of Riyadh Air’s most strategic growth markets, and making our NDC content available through TravelSky marks an important milestone in expanding our distribution reach across China and our long-term commitment to the market,” said Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air. “Riyadh Air is building a modern distribution ecosystem that supports our digital-first strategy and creates greater value for our global partners. Powered by our native NDC 21.3 Offer and Order Management platform, this partnership enables a more personalized and seamless booking experience for travelers. TravelSky-connected agents can now access tailored travel offers, manage complex itineraries more efficiently, and receive instant confirmation for ancillary services that have traditionally been difficult to access.”

Jiang Bo, Chairman of TravelSky, said: “As a forward-looking, digital-native airline, Riyadh Air shares a highly aligned vision with TravelSky, and we are delighted to establish this partnership. Guided by our strategic priorities of strengthening safety, revitalising our core business and accelerating innovation, TravelSky remains committed to independent technological development while advancing our international strategy through the next generation Overseas Open Service Delivery (OOSD)-based Passenger Service System (PSS) for the global aviation industry. We look forward to working closely with Riyadh Air to deepen collaboration in precision marketing, revenue optimization, integrated travel services, intelligent connectivity and enriched passenger experiences. Together, we aim to help shape the future of airline retailing and distribution, establish new industry standards, and jointly build a thriving digital aviation ecosystem.” -TradeArabia News Service