Saudi Arabia's Matarat, Thales sign deal to transform air travel experience

RIYADH: Matarat Holding, the state-owned company responsible for managing Saudi Arabia's airports, has signed a strategic agreement with French aerospace and defense giant Thales to advance the Kingdom's aviation sector through cutting-edge digital technologies.
The agreement, formalized during the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025 in Madrid, Spain, focuses on enhancing innovation, operational efficiency, and the overall passenger experience across the Kingdom's 27 airports.
According to a statement by Matarat, the partnership will leverage Thales' expertise in artificial intelligence, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to develop safer, smarter, and more efficient travel journeys.
As part of the collaboration, advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure will be deployed throughout Saudi Arabia's airport network.
'This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a revolutionary step in reimagining the future of the Saudi aviation sector,' said Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Saudi Arabia and Central Asia.
'By combining Thales' digital transformation capabilities with Matarat's operational excellence, we aim to build a smart and secure aviation ecosystem.'
Roux emphasized that the integration of AI, cybersecurity solutions, and connected systems will not only improve passenger experience and boost efficiency, but also enhance national security— contributing directly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goal of becoming a global aviation leader.
In addition to technology deployment, the agreement includes knowledge-sharing initiatives, operational streamlining, and joint innovation efforts aimed at future-proofing the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure.

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