Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, announced the inking of a five-year strategic partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Singapore-based SATS Ltd, to strengthen cargo handling operations across the Kingdom.

According to an official press release, the agreement covers major operations at Riyadh Air’s hub at King Khalid International Airport, with additional support at Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

As part of the deal, SATS will develop hub management capabilities to position Riyadh as a premier regional cargo hub, in line with Vision 2030 targets to handle 4.5 million tons of air freight annually.

Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air commented: “This partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey to become a leading global carrier,” adding that the collaboration would deliver “operational excellence, high-value logistics solutions, and strategic connectivity.”

Bob Chi, CEO of Gateway Services Asia Pacific at SATS, said the partnership aligns with Riyadh Air’s ambition to connect over 100 destinations globally by 2030, supported by SATS’ cargo expertise and global network.

Under the agreement, SATS Saudi Arabia will operate from its 60,000 sq. metre Riyadh airfreight terminal, offering specialized facilities for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, live animals, and other cargo types. The partnership will also deploy SATS’ digital cargo management systems to enhance real-time tracking and operational efficiency.

The collaboration underscores SATS’ growing presence in the Middle East and supports Riyadh Air’s plans to establish Riyadh as a leading global logistics hub.