Matarat Holding and Thales to Boost Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia’s Airport Sector

• Matarat and Thales will explore applications of smart technologies to modernize airport operations and management, driving digital transformation across Matarat’s network.
• The partnership will also enable the implementation of advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructures in Matarat Airports.

Matarat Holding has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies. This strategic partnership, signed at Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid, Spain, seeks to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and improved passenger experience through digital solutions and collaborative technological advancements.

Matarat Holding leads manage the operations of 27 airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its subsidiaries (Riyadh Airports, Jeddah Airports, Dammam Airports, and Cluster 2), and the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation across multiple strategic areas of aviation development.

Through this partnership, Thales will implement its expertise in smart technologies to modernize airport operations and management, driving digital transformation across Matarat’s subsidiaries. The collaboration will focus on sharing innovation and best practices to enhance service quality, streamline operational processes, and adopt future-ready solutions that set new industry standards.

A key priority of the agreement is enhancing the traveler experience by leveraging Thales’s advanced capabilities in AI, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to create seamless andsecure passenger journeys. The partnership will also enable the implementation of advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure in Matarat Airports.

Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Saudi Arabia and Central Asia, emphasized the partnership’s significance: “This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a transformative step in reshaping the future of Saudi aviation.

By combining Thales’s expertise in digital transformation with Matarat’s operational excellence, we are not just implementing technologies – we are co-creating a smart and safe aviation ecosystem. Our joint solutions in AI, cybersecurity and connected systems will set new benchmarks for operational efficiency, enhanced passenger experience, and national security, directly contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions to become a global aviation leader.”