Riyadh Airports Co. to improve travel experience with digital transformation

RAC has partnered with tech giant Cognizant to strengthen its digital capabilities in the domains of finance, human resources, procurement, and planning, which will ultimately enhance the traveler experience. Shutterstock
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Updated 24 December 2023
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Riyadh Airports Co. to improve travel experience with digital transformation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air travelers can expect an improved travel experience with Riyadh Airports Co. planning to enhance digital transformation in its core function, according to a statement.

To materialize this, RAC has partnered with tech giant Cognizant to strengthen its digital capabilities in the domains of finance, human resources, procurement, and planning, which will ultimately enhance the traveler experience. 

In the initial phase, Cognizant will leverage the Systems Applications and Products in the Data Processing Appian framework to establish process automation for operations at the King Khalid International Airport. 

Cognizant will also assist RAC in enhancing its back-office functions to streamline operations and elevate traveler satisfaction, the press statement added. 

“Establishing a strategic partnership with Cognizant is a transformative milestone for RAC. Cognizant’s unparalleled expertise in automation and enterprise applications perfectly aligns with our aspirations, empowering us to extend a warm welcome to the world,” said Osama Al-Fawaz, chief of information and communication technology at RAC.

He added: “Together, we are dedicated to creating a seamless experience that benefits the airport’s stakeholders, business partners and airlines, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global aviation destination.”

Strengthening the aviation sector is crucial for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom is diversifying its economy away from oil and is concentrating on areas like tourism. 

Saudi Arabia anticipates welcoming over 150 million visitors by 2030, and an important aspect of RAC’s strategy is the integration of smarter processes and advanced automation to reinforce the position of King Khalid International Airport as the busiest airport in the country.

“Our collaboration with RAC exemplifies Cognizant’s commitment to helping raise global standards in digital engineering, airport operations, and customer experience within the aviation industry,” said Tarek Zarg El Aioun, Saudi Arabia general manager at Cognizant. 

He added: “We are excited to contribute to RAC’s vision for a technologically advanced and efficient airport management, enhancing the overall passenger and airline experience through innovative solutions.” 


No Saudi acquisition offers: FC Barcelona tells Al-Eqtisadiah

Updated 51 min 58 sec ago
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No Saudi acquisition offers: FC Barcelona tells Al-Eqtisadiah

CAIRO: FC Barcelona has not received any offers, whether from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, to acquire the club, according to an official source who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah.

According to the source, the circulating news regarding the possibility of finalizing a deal to acquire the club in the coming period is a mere rumor.

Recent Spanish reports had indicated the possibility of a Saudi acquisition of Barcelona shares for around €10 billion ($11.7 billion), a move considered capable of saving the club from its financial crises if it were to happen, especially as it suffers from debts estimated at around €2.5 billion.

Sale not in management’s hands

Joan Gaspart, the former president of the club, confirmed that the current board of directors, chaired by Joan Laporta, does not have the right to dispose of the club’s ownership.

He added: “FC Barcelona is owned by about 150,000 members, and selling the club is something the owners will not accept. FC Barcelona possesses something no other club in the world has; money is very important, and so is passion, but the sentiment of the members today is to continue what the club has been for 125 years.”

High market value

Despite the financial crisis the club has been going through in recent years, FC Barcelona ranks sixth on the list of the world’s highest market value clubs, with an estimated value of €1.12 billion, according to Transfermarkt. Meanwhile, its rival Real Madrid tops the list with a market value of €1.38 billion.