Riyadh Air's Game-Changing Partnership with Accenture for a Digital Future

Riyadh Air's Game-Changing Partnership with Accenture for a Digital Future

By Author

Published on December 23, 2023

Riyadh Air, the emerging airline, is set to revolutionize the aviation industry through a significant three-year partnership with global professional services company, Accenture. This collaboration is a strategic move to establish Riyadh Air as the first digitally-driven airline worldwide, in line with the Kingdom's vision for 2030.

Innovative Transformation:

Cloud-Centric Approach: Accenture will lead the creation of a cloud-based infrastructure for Riyadh Air, ensuring a smooth and efficient digital operation.

Enhanced Cybersecurity: A key focus will be on bolstering cybersecurity measures to safeguard the airline's operations.

Operational Excellence: The partnership aims to streamline services and manage operations effectively.

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A New Era in Aviation:

Digital-Centric Services: Riyadh Air is poised to lead a new era in aviation, distinguished by its commitment to digital-first solutions.

State-of-the-Art Tech: Utilizing advanced technologies like cloud computing and AI, Riyadh Air aims to deliver a seamless travel experience for passengers and employees alike.

Ambitious Expansion Plans: With plans to serve over 100 destinations by 2030, the airline is gearing up for a significant scale-up in operations.

Expert Comments:

Adam Boukadida, CFO, Riyadh Air: "Riyadh Air will be a digitally native airline, focused on delivering world-class service. Accenture’s partnership is crucial for our cloud-first strategy, ensuring our technology is future-proof and legacy-free."

Emily Weiss, Senior Managing Director, Accenture: "The launch of Riyadh Air marks a landmark moment in aviation. Our collaboration aims to create hyper-connected experiences for today’s and future travelers."

India's Aviation Landscape:

Akasa Air’s Perspective: During a fireside chat at the ET Travel & Tourism Conclave, Akasa Air's CCO & Co-Founder, Praveen Iyer, highlighted India's untapped aviation potential and the need for leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure.

Riyadh Air’s Vision:

The airline is not just an addition to the aviation sector but a key player in achieving Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision, aiming to put Riyadh on the global map as a key destination and gateway. Supporting the Saudi Aviation Strategy and National Tourism Strategy, Riyadh Air is set to unlock Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions to the world while creating new job opportunities.


Smoke House Café Opens at Sky City Mall, Borivali

Smoke House Café Opens at Sky City Mall, Borivali

By Hariharan U

Published on February 26, 2026

Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. has launched Smoke House Café at Sky City Mall, marking a new phase in the 15-year journey of Smoke House Deli. The new café format builds on the brand’s familiar European comfort-led identity while presenting a calmer, more contemporary neighbourhood expression designed for everyday dining.

Guided by the philosophy From The World, To You, the café draws inspiration from global flavours, ingredients and techniques, translating them into approachable dishes suited for repeat visits and relaxed gatherings. The Borivali outlet is positioned as a space for long lunches, mid-week bites, family dinners and easy catch-ups, reflecting the strong sense of community that defines the neighbourhood.

The interiors subtly reference the lush landscape of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, blending earthy textures, muted tones and organic elements to create a setting that feels grounded yet modern. The result is a café that feels connected to its surroundings while maintaining a refined, urban character.

Riyaaz Amlani, Founder and Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., said, “With Smoke House Café, we are introducing a format that feels current, intentional and deeply rooted in hospitality. It is about giving our guests something new without losing the emotional connection they have always had with the brand. This is the future of Smoke House, more contemporary, more neighbourhood driven, and built for everyday belonging.”

Commenting on the launch, Tanu Prasad, CEO – Malls, Oberoi Realty, said the addition strengthens Sky City Mall’s positioning as a social and experiential hub for the western suburbs.

The menu reflects a structured, comfort-forward approach with an expanded focus on vegetarian options. Guests can expect dishes such as Signature Guacamole, Crispy Chilli Cheese, Raw Papaya, Tender Coconut and Grilled Tofu Salad, SHC Avocado Toast, Creamed Spinach, Feta, Tomato and Olive Pizza, Ricotta and Greens Double Stuffed Ravioli, and Tofu and Baby Corn Curry with Jasmine Rice. A curated range of zero-proof beverages, including Cranberry Cold Brew, P.K Lemonade, Thai Spiced Chai and Lychee and Hibiscus Brew, complements the all-day café format.

A thoughtfully designed kids’ menu further reinforces the café’s family-friendly positioning, particularly relevant in Borivali’s community-driven dining landscape.

Vinod Shetty, Operations Head, Smoke House Café, said, “With Smoke House Café, we wanted to build something that feels natural to the neighbourhood. Borivali has a strong family culture, but it is also evolving and aspirational. The menu reflects that balance. We have strengthened our vegetarian offerings, clarified the structure, and introduced a dedicated kids’ section so that the experience feels complete. It is about creating a café that people can keep coming back to, across occasions and across life stages.”

Located on the ground floor of Sky City Mall, Borivali East, the café operates daily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. The opening signals the next chapter for the Smoke House legacy, evolving with changing dining habits while retaining the warmth and familiarity that built its following.


Why Hotels Are Upgrading from Projectors to Touch Interactive Displays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 26, 2026

Conference rooms and meeting spaces in hotels have evolved beyond being just rooms with a screen. Today’s corporate guests expect speed, clarity, interaction, and an impressive experience. To meet these expectations, many leading hotels are moving away from traditional projectors and upgrading to Touch Interactive Displays offered by Palaniappa Electronics, featuring trusted brands like Samsung, Raptor, and Teachmint.

Projectors have long been used in meeting rooms, but they come with familiar challenges. Dim visuals, frequent lamp replacements, alignment problems, shadows on the screen, and the need for darkened rooms often affect the overall experience. Touch Interactive Displays address these issues by delivering bright and clear visuals that work well even in well-lit spaces. They also require minimal maintenance, making them practical for busy hotel environments.

These displays function much like a giant tablet mounted on the wall. Presenters can write, draw, zoom, and annotate directly on the screen while explaining ideas in real time. This makes discussions more interactive and easier to follow, especially for participants who prefer visual explanations. Meetings become more dynamic, encouraging better collaboration.

Advanced models come with built-in cameras and microphones, making video conferencing smoother and more engaging. Features such as voice tracking and automatic zoom on the active speaker create a professional setup that leaves a strong impression on corporate clients and board-level meetings. It adds a clear wow factor to hotel conference facilities.

The technology also replaces traditional whiteboards. Users can write on the screen, record discussions live, convert notes into PDFs, and share them instantly via email. This eliminates the need to take photos of whiteboards and ensures that discussions are properly documented and shared without delay.

Another key advantage is wireless connectivity. Guests can cast content from their laptops, tablets, or mobiles directly onto the display without cables. They can also receive shared content back to their devices. This bring-your-own-device flexibility makes meetings smooth and avoids technical confusion.

For hotels, this upgrade increases the perceived value of conference and meeting spaces. It helps attract premium corporate bookings, training programs, and international conferences, while simplifying operations for hotel teams.

What sets the implementation apart is the guidance provided by Palaniappa Electronics. The team studies room size, expected usage, audience profile, and budget before recommending the right product for the right application. With customization options and dependable after-sales support, hotels receive solutions tailored to their needs rather than a standard package.

Palaniappa electronics brings world class brands and their quality products that hit the show in the world of hospitality based electronics. from massive electronics objects to smart tiny products, Palaniappa electronics is the one name to acquire everything about hospitality oriented electronics.

For hotels looking to future-proof their meeting spaces, Touch Interactive Displays are quickly becoming the new standard. Those still relying on projectors can explore a customized demo with Palaniappa Electronics to understand how interactive displays can transform their conference rooms.

For more details, contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr. Muthu at 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com.


Red Rhino Launches Bottled Craft Beer Range in Bengaluru

Red Rhino Launches Bottled Craft Beer Range in Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on February 26, 2026

Red Rhino has announced the launch of its bottled craft beer range in Bengaluru, marking its official retail debut. Founded in 2016 by Kishore Pallamreddy and Rachana Pallamreddy, the brewery has built a strong presence across 100+ on-tap locations and now brings its signature brews to store shelves, expanding accessibility while maintaining its craft ethos.

The bottled portfolio features three variants available exclusively in 330 ml bottles: Golden Harvest Lager, Soul Surfer Hefeweizen and Bangalore Daze IPA. Brewed at the brand’s commercial facility in Malur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the operation includes a five-vessel brewhouse, dedicated kegging lines, fermentation tanks and automated quality systems to ensure scale without compromising consistency. The Golden Harvest Lager (ABV 4.8% | IBU 17) is brewed with premium basmati rice for a smooth, crisp finish. Soul Surfer Hefeweizen (ABV 4.9% | IBU 15) delivers classic banana and clove notes with a creamy mouthfeel, while Bangalore Daze IPA (ABV 6.8% | IBU 68) offers bold West Coast character with ripe mangosteen and bitter orange notes.

Commenting on the launch, COO Ashwin Nawani said, "When moving from draft to bottle, our goal was not to change the soul of the beer, but to make it more stable without compromising flavour. We fine-tuned our recipes to account for shelf life, optimised fermentation and packaging to reduce oxygen pickup, and avoided shortcuts such as heavy filtration or preservatives. The beer in the bottle reflects the same craft intent as what you'd experience on tap."

Founder Kishore Pallamreddy added, "This bottled range is a milestone in our evolution. We've always believed that great craft beer should be accessible, and now, we're bringing our most-loved recipes directly to the doorsteps of Bengaluru's beer lovers. It's the same Red Rhino spirit, just in a new, convenient avatar."

Currently available at select premium outlets such as Balcony Bar, Drops, Beer Box, Wild Bar, Dewars, Top Shelf and Liquids, the brand aims to expand to over 50 retail locations by March 2026, reflecting the continued premiumisation of India’s beer market.

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