Riyadh Air launches “Riyadh Cargo” as it enters global air cargo market 

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has announced the launch of Riyadh Cargo, marking the airline’s entry into the global air cargo market and activation of belly-hold cargo operations across its wide-body fleet.

The airline’s strategy includes the utilization of capacity on its fleet of over 120 on-order wide-body aircraft to transport goods efficiently and reliably across global markets.

The launch of the brand reflects a deliberate, phased approach to building an integrated and scalable cargo business, anchored at the airline’s Riyadh hub.    

Since recently commencing operations as part of the airline’s wider Pathway to Perfect process, Riyadh Cargo has demonstrated strong operational momentum on the Riyadh -London route, successfully transporting substantial cargo volumes of goods including garments, textiles, fresh flowers, seafood, tea, and coffee, underscoring the capability to handle time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments.

“Riyadh Cargo has been built with a clear focus on operational discipline, reliability, and long-term scalability,” stated Pravin Singh, Global Head of Cargo at Riyadh Air. “Launching within a live environment allows us to test, learn, and continuously refine how we operate, while delivering real value to our customers from the get-go. The launch of the brand is a foundational step in building a cargo business that grows alongside our network expansion and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions.”

Digital strategy

Digital capability remains a central element to Riyadh Cargo’s ecosystem. The airline has ensured the integration of dedicated cargo management systems, centralized airwaybill control, and enhanced data visibility to improve transparency, accelerate decision‑making, and maintain consistently high service levels.  

In line with its digital strategy, Riyadh Cargo has partnered with CHAMPS’s Cargo spot-neo, a next-gen cargo end-to-end platform, to manage cargo and terminal operations. The platform enables broader operational control, enhanced data visibility, and more responsive decision-making, supporting service reliability as volumes and network complexity increase.

The airline has further strengthened its cargo operations with an investment aligned with digitally tracked unit load devices (ULDs). Riyadh Air works closely with Unilode to manage and digitally track lightweight, durable ULDs. These assets enable real-time monitoring, accurate inventory management, and support more efficient and sustainable cargo movements.

Ground handling partnerships

On the ground, cargo handling services are managed in partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia at key airports in KSA, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The operations are supported by modern facilities and specialized handling zones enabling real-time oversight and smooth cargo connections.  

As Riyadh Air moves forward on its ambitious growth plans with an existing fleet size of more than 180 aircraft and a network expected to reach over 100 destinations by 2030, Riyadh Cargo is positioned as a key enabler of this growth, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global aviation and logistics hub.