Riyadh Air Enters Global Freight Market with Launch of ‘Riyadh Cargo’
RIYADH: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has formally entered the global air freight sector with the launch of its dedicated cargo brand, “Riyadh Cargo,” marking a major step in the Kingdom’s aviation and logistics strategy.
The airline has also activated belly-hold cargo operations across its growing fleet of more than 120 on-order wide-body aircraft, enabling the efficient and reliable transport of goods across international markets.
The introduction of Riyadh Cargo reflects a phased and strategic approach to building an integrated, scalable cargo business, beginning from its operational base in Riyadh. The move aligns with the airline’s expanding route network and operational rollout, which began with trial services under its “Road to Takeoff” strategy, linking King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with London Heathrow Airport.
Riyadh Cargo has already demonstrated strong operational performance on the Riyadh–London route, transporting significant volumes of goods including textiles, fresh flowers, fish, tea and coffee. The early operations highlight the carrier’s ability to manage time-sensitive shipments, perishable commodities and high-value cargo with consistency and reliability.
Pravin Singh, Global Head of Cargo at Riyadh Air, said the cargo division was designed with long-term growth and operational resilience in mind.
“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 start. The brand launch is a foundational step in building a cargo business that grows alongside our network expansion and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions,” Singh said.
Digital infrastructure forms a central pillar of Riyadh Cargo’s operating model. The company has adopted advanced systems for centralized air waybill management, improving data transparency, decision-making speed and operational efficiency, while supporting consistently high service standards as the network expands.
As part of this digital strategy, Riyadh Cargo has partnered with CHAMPS to deploy the CargoSpot Neo platform for cargo and terminal operations management. The system enables greater operational control, enhanced data visibility and faster responses to operational demands as volumes and network complexity increase.
Operational capabilities have also been strengthened through investment in digitally enabled unit load devices in partnership with Unilode, allowing real-time cargo tracking and highly accurate inventory management. These systems support operational resilience and sustainable workflows across the global network.
On the ground, cargo handling services are delivered in cooperation with SATS Saudi Arabia at the Kingdom’s three main airports — King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam — supported by modern facilities and specialized handling infrastructure to ensure seamless logistical integration and real-time operational oversight.
Riyadh Cargo is positioned as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to develop into a leading global aviation and logistics hub.
With a total of 182 aircraft on order and plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air is projected to contribute around $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross domestic product and support more than 200,000 jobs worldwide.
