Riyadh Air and SATS Saudi Arabia Forge Bold 2-Year Strategic Partnership to Boost Cargo Hub Operations

Riyadh Air and SATS Saudi Arabia Sign Five-Year Cargo Partnership to Strengthen Hub Operations

Riyadh Air has entered into a five-year strategic partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia Company (SATS SA), a subsidiary of SATS Ltd (SATS), to deliver cargo handling services at major airports across the Kingdom.

The agreement covers operations at the airline’s hub at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), with additional support at King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. SATS Saudi Arabia will also build hub management capabilities for Riyadh Air, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal 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 is an important step in Riyadh Air’s growth as a global carrier. By combining SATS’ handling expertise and global network with our long-term ambitions, we are establishing the foundation for efficient air cargo operations that connect key global trade lanes and contribute to Vision 2030’s logistics objectives.”

Bob Chi, CEO Gateway Services Asia Pacific, SATS Ltd, added: “We are pleased that Riyadh Air has selected SATS as a partner in its cargo expansion journey. This agreement aligns Riyadh Air’s plans to connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030 with SATS’ focus on providing reliable cargo solutions.”

Under the partnership, SATS Saudi Arabia will provide services through its 60,000-square-metre RUH airfreight terminal, which includes specialised zones for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, live animals, valuables, and dangerous goods. Riyadh Air will also gain access to SATS’ global network of more than 225 stations, supported by 250 airline partners and major freight forwarders.

The hub operations will incorporate centralised cargo and security control centres for real-time oversight, supported by SATS’ cargo management expertise. SATS will deploy its COSYS+ Next Generation Cargo Management System to enable real-time tracking and data-driven decision-making, alongside automation and digitisation tools to enhance operational efficiency.

This agreement expands SATS’ role in the Middle East cargo sector while supporting the airlines’ plan to establish Riyadh as a regional logistics hub within the global trade network.