Riyadh Air and Chinese aviation technology provider TravelSky Technology Limited signed a distribution cooperation agreement on Thursday, marking the start of what both companies described as a long-term strategic partnership aimed at expanding the Saudi carrier's presence in China.

The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony in Beijing. Under its terms, Riyadh Air and TravelSky will work together across omni-channel distribution, modern airline retailing, digital innovation, and passenger experience, drawing on TravelSky's technology platform and travel-services ecosystem, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The deal is intended to support Riyadh Air's entry into the Chinese market while improving services for Chinese travel agencies, industry partners, and travelers, the companies said. It will also allow both sides to pursue further opportunities tied to Riyadh Air's international network expansion and long-term growth in China.

Vincent Coste, chief commercial officer of Riyadh Air, said China is one of the airline's most strategically important growth markets, adding that the partnership would give travelers a more personalized and seamless booking experience, according to China's official Xinhua news agency.

TravelSky Chairman Jiang Bo said the company looks forward to deepening its cooperation with Riyadh Air, with the two firms working together to develop digital travel solutions for the Chinese market, Xinhua reported.

Riyadh Air, launched in 2023 as Saudi Arabia's second flag carrier, began commercial flights in October 2025 and has been steadily expanding its route network, with services already operating to London, Dubai, Jeddah, and Cairo. The airline, wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has set a target of serving more than 100 destinations by 2030 as part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification program.

TravelSky is China's leading provider of aviation information technology, supplying distribution and booking infrastructure used widely across the country's travel industry.

Sources: SPA/Xinhua