Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, has launched its cargo operations under the brand ‘Riyadh Cargo’, marking its entry into the global air freight market with belly-hold cargo across its wide-body fleet.
Riyadh Cargo’s strategy includes the utilization of capacity on Riyadh Air’s over 120 on-order wide-body aircraft, which we will use to move goods efficiently and reliably, connecting global markets.
Riyadh Cargo : Digital capabilities
Digital capability is central to Riyadh Air’s values. Riyadh Cargo integrates dedicated cargo management systems, centralized airwaybill control, and enhanced data visibility to boost transparency, speed decision-making, and maintain high service levels. Round-the-clock airwaybill management adds a critical operational edge.
Reflecting its digital-native roots, Riyadh Cargo partners with CHAMPS’s Cargo spot-neo, a next-gen end-to-end platform, providing greater operational control, real-time insights, and responsive decision-making to support reliability as volumes and network complexity grow.
Operations are further strengthened through digitally tracked, best-in-class unit load devices (ULDs) in collaboration with Unilode, enhancing visibility, monitoring, stock optimization, and sustainable, efficient cargo movements, even during irregular operations.
Cargo handling and hub management
On the ground, cargo handling and hub management are delivered in partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia Company. Services are provided at key airports across the Kingdom, including King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, and King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.
These locations are supported by modern facilities, specialized handling zones and centralized hub management, enabling real-time oversight and smooth cargo connections. Riyadh Cargo will further benefit from dedicated facilities and enhanced capabilities designed to elevate the overall customer experience.
Pravin Singh Global Head of Cargo Riyadh Air
“Riyadh Cargo has been built with a clear focus on operational discipline, reliability, and long-term scalability. Launching within a live environment allows us to test, learn, and continuously refine how we operate, while delivering real value to our customers from the get-go. The launch of the brand is a foundational step in building a cargo business that grows alongside our network expansion and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions.”
As Riyadh Air advances its ambitious growth plans with its existing fleet size of more than 180 aircraft and a network expected to reach over 100 destinations by 2030 the airline is expected to contribute approximately $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and support more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs globally. Riyadh Cargo is positioned as a key enabler of this growth, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global aviation and logistics hub.
