Riyadh Air, the new Saudi air carrier, has signed a five-year cooperation agreement with SATS, a company specialized in logistics and cargo handling, paving the way for the development of its own cargo operations at the country’s largest airports, reports AeroTime News. The agreement will cover King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with additional support provided in Dammam and Jeddah.
As announced on August 18, 2025, SATS Saudi Arabia will take over the management of advanced cargo handling systems and the development of central logistics capacities for the new Saudi carrier. Riyadh Air’s Chief Financial Officer, Adam Boukadida, emphasized that this cooperation represents a significant step in positioning the airline as a global player in the cargo sector from the very beginning.
SATS will utilize its existing 60,000-square-meter cargo terminal in Riyadh, while the partnership immediately provides Riyadh Air with access to a network of more than 225 stations worldwide and over 250 airlines and freight forwarders. This gives the new Saudi carrier the ability to launch its own cargo products and services with a competitive edge in both regional and global markets.
“We are honored that Riyadh Air has chosen SATS as a trusted partner in its ambitious cargo business development. Our collaboration represents a strategic alignment between Riyadh Air’s goal of connecting more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030 and our commitment to providing world-class air cargo solutions,” said Bob Chi, CEO Gateway Services Asia Pacific at SATS.
As AeroTime News concludes, this agreement confirms Riyadh Air’s intent to invest strongly in the cargo segment alongside the development of passenger operations, securing a key role on global trade routes.
