Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has signed a five-year strategic partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia Company (SATS SA), a subsidiary of SATS Ltd, to provide comprehensive cargo handling services at major airports across the Kingdom.
The agreement covers large-scale cargo operations at Riyadh Air’s hub at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), along with dedicated support at King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. A key part of the deal is the development of advanced hub management capabilities, positioning Riyadh as a premier regional cargo hub and directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 target of handling 4.5 million tons of air cargo annually.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said: “This partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey to become a leading global carrier. By leveraging SATS’ advanced cargo handling capabilities and global network, we are laying a strong foundation to build a world-class air cargo offering from day one.”
Through this collaboration, Riyadh Air will gain access to SATS’ global network of 225+ stations, supported by over 250 airline partners and top freight forwarders. The 60,000-square-metre Riyadh airfreight terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including specialized zones for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, live animals, valuables, and dangerous goods.
The agreement also introduces SATS’ COSYS+ Next Generation Cargo Management System, enabling real-time tracking, automated truck dock management, and enhanced cargo digitisation. Centralised cargo and security control centres will provide real-time operational oversight, ensuring efficiency and seamless cargo connections across Riyadh Air’s expanding global network.
Bob Chi, CEO Gateway Services Asia Pacific, SATS Ltd, added: “This partnership represents strategic alignment between Riyadh Air’s ambition to connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030 and our commitment to provide our customers with world-class air cargo solutions.”
This strategic move underscores SATS’ growing presence in the Middle East and Riyadh Air’s commitment to building a global logistics hub, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in international trade and cargo transport.
