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 (SATS), to provide comprehensive cargo handling services at key airports across the Kingdom.

The agreement covers major cargo operations at the Riyadh Air hub at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), with further support at King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. SATS Saudi Arabia will also develop advanced hub management capabilities for Riyadh Air, aiming to establish Riyadh as a premier regional cargo hub, directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of handling 4.5 million tons of air cargo annually.

Adam Boukadida, CFO at Riyadh Air, stated: “This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey towards becoming a leading global carrier. By leveraging SATS’ advanced cargo handling capabilities and global network, we are laying a strong foundation for a world-class air cargo offering from day one.”

Bob Chi, CEO of Gateway Services Asia Pacific at SATS Ltd., expressed: “We are honored that Riyadh Air has selected SATS as a trusted partner for its ambitious cargo growth journey. This represents strategic alignment between Riyadh Air’s goal to connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030 and our commitment to providing world-class air cargo solutions.”

Under this agreement, SATS Saudi Arabia will provide dedicated cargo handling services at its existing 60,000 square-metre airfreight terminal, featuring specialized zones for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, live animals, valuables, and dangerous goods.

This collaboration grants Riyadh Air instant access to SATS’ extensive global network, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities and establishing it as a competitive player in the regional and global markets.