MATARAT Holding, SITA sign MOU to fast-track airport digital transformation in Saudi Arabia

MATARAT Holding has signed a memorandum of understanding with SITA, the global leader in air transport technology, to accelerate the digital transformation of airports across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will focus on deploying smart, scalable technologies that enhance passenger experience, streamline operations and increase airport efficiency as Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its aviation modernization plans.

Yaagoub AlNujaidi, Senior Vice President of Digital and Technology at MATARAT Holding, emphasized the significance of the partnership as a pivotal move toward aligning the Kingdom’s airport infrastructure with global benchmarks. “This Memorandum of Understanding with SITA underscores our unwavering commitment to leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions that enhance operational efficiency and elevate the travel experience across all our airports,” he stated.

SITA has a strong track record in Saudi Arabia, having implemented biometric self-service systems at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, and enabling the Kingdom’s first fully biometric journey at NEOM Bay Airport through its Smart Path solution. Its systems are also in place across major airports in Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh, as well as at 22 regional airports in Cluster 2.

The biometric journey represents a seamless and secure user experience, leveraging advanced technologies to capture, authenticate, and verify individuals through unique biological traits such as facial recognition or fingerprints—ensuring fast, frictionless access across digital and physical touchpoints.

“Saudi airports are growing fast, and with that comes complexity,” said Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa at SITA. “We are proud to work alongside MATARAT Holding to bring in the right digital tools that keep operations smooth and passengers moving effortlessly.”

The collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global aviation hub capable of handling 330 million passengers annually and connecting to more than 250 destinations worldwide.

The Kingdom’s airports are supervised by MATARAT Holding, which oversees the operations of 27 airports through its subsidiaries — Riyadh Airports, Jeddah Airports, Dammam Airports, and Cluster 2. MATARAT’s mission is to develop the country’s airports and improve their performance in line with the Saudi Aviation Strategy, itself a key part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030.