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Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has officially entered the global air freight market with the launch of Riyadh Cargo, activating cargo operations through the belly-hold capacity of its aircraft fleet. The move enables efficient and reliable transportation of goods across international markets, leveraging a fleet of more than 120 widebody aircraft currently on order, with long-term plans for continued expansion.
The launch reflects a phased and scalable approach to building a fully integrated cargo business operating from Riyadh Air’s main hub in the Saudi capital. Riyadh Cargo’s rollout aligns with the airline’s broader network expansion, which began with experimental flights under its “Pathway to Perfect” strategy, including services between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Heathrow Airport in London.
Riyadh Cargo has already demonstrated strong operational performance on the Riyadh–London route, transporting a wide range of goods such as textiles, fresh flowers, fish, tea, and coffee. The early results highlight the service’s capability to manage time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo with a high degree of reliability.
Commenting on the launch, Pravin Singh, Global Head of Cargo at Riyadh Air, said the unit was established with a clear focus on operational discipline, reliability, and long-term scalability, describing Riyadh Cargo as a foundational step in building a cargo ecosystem that grows in parallel with the airline’s expanding network and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions.
Digital innovation is central to Riyadh Cargo’s operating model. The carrier has implemented advanced cargo management systems to centrally control air waybills and improve data visibility, accelerating decision-making and enhancing operational efficiency. As part of this strategy, Riyadh Cargo partnered with CHAMPS to deploy the Cargospot neo platform and collaborated with Unilode to introduce smart unit load devices (ULDs) equipped with real-time tracking technologies.
Ground handling and freight terminal operations are managed in cooperation with SATS SA across the Kingdom’s three main airports Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam supported by modern facilities and dedicated cargo handling zones. Positioned as a key enabler of growth, Riyadh Cargo supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading global aviation and logistics hub.
With a total fleet of 182 aircraft on order and plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air is expected to contribute approximately US$20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and support over 200,000 jobs globally.
As Saudi Arabia’s logistics and aviation sectors continue to expand, J K Management Consultancies supports businesses with aviation-related licensing, logistics sector advisory, regulatory compliance, investment facilitation, and government liaison services, helping companies align with Vision 2030 and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Kingdom.
