Riyadh Air, SATS Saudi Arabia tie-up to provide cargo handling services

Signing ceremony

Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new national carrier, signed a five-year strategic partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia Co., a subsidiary of SATS Ltd (SATS), to provide comprehensive cargo handling services at key airports across the Kingdom.

The agreement includes major cargo operations at the Riyadh Air hub at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) with further support at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the company said in a statement sent to Argaam.

As part of the agreement, SATS Saudi Arabia will also develop the latest hub management capabilities for Riyadh Air, establishing Riyadh as a premier regional cargo hub and directly supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objective to handle 4.5 million tons of air cargo annually.

Under the agreement, SATS Saudi Arabia will provide comprehensive dedicated cargo handling services at its existing 60,000 square-metre Riyadh airfreight terminal, featuring facilities including specialized zones for pharmaceuticals, ecommerce, live animals, valuables, and dangerous goods.

This partnership grants Riyadh Air instant access to SATS’ global network of over 225 stations, supported by over 250 airline partners and leading freight forwarders, the statement added.

Additionally, the hub management operations will include centralized cargo and security control centers for real-time operational oversight. These operations will leverage SATS’ established hub management expertise, providing seamless coordination of cargo connections and serving as a focal point for routing shipments to their intended destinations across Riyadh Air’s growing global network. This integrated approach will enable Riyadh Air to launch a comprehensive suite of cargo products and services that position the airline for strong competitive advantage in regional and global markets.

Supporting these hub operations, SATS Saudi Arabia will deploy SATS’ proprietary COSYS+ Next Generation Cargo Management System, enabling real-time tracking and data-driven decision-making. The system will be enhanced by advanced cargo digitization technology and automated truck dock management systems to further increase operational efficiency.

These technological advances will be complemented by the facility’s scalable infrastructure, ensuring robust capacity to support Riyadh Air’s long-term growth ambitions.

This strategic partnership exemplifies Riyadh Air’s commitment to delivering world-class cargo services and establishing Riyadh as a thriving hub in the global logistics landscape. It also reinforces SATS’ growing presence in the vital Middle East air cargo market and highlights its role as a trusted enabler for leading global airlines and logistics players, according to the statement.