According to www.aircargonews.net, Saudia Cargo and Riyadh Cargo have signed an interline agreement to expand cargo connectivity across international trade corridors, with Riyadh Cargo targeting more than 100 global destinations by 2030.
Strategic network integration
The agreement unites Saudia Cargo’s established cargo infrastructure and operational expertise with Riyadh Cargo’s digitally native platform and rapidly scaling route network. It follows Saudia Cargo’s recent launch of a scheduled freighter route between Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Melbourne in Australia — a new direct link that enhances bilateral airfreight capacity.
This interline framework enables freight forwarders and logistics partners to access broader routing options, improved transit flexibility, and consolidated handling across both carriers’ networks. The collaboration is designed to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional air cargo hub, supporting national logistics ambitions aligned with Vision 2030.
Expanded destination footprint
Riyadh Cargo currently operates direct cargo services to London, Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, Madrid, and Malaga. Under the agreement, it will extend reach to upcoming destinations including Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, and Dhaka — three key South and Southeast Asian markets critical for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and textile trade flows.
- Mumbai (India)
- Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Dhaka (Bangladesh)
The expansion supports Riyadh Cargo’s stated long-term goal of serving more than 100 global destinations by 2030, a target first publicly announced in its 2024 corporate roadmap and reaffirmed in this July 2026 announcement.
Leadership perspectives
Mansour Alasmi, vice president – network & revenue at Saudia Cargo, emphasized integration as a catalyst for national logistics development:
“This initiative reflects our firm belief in the importance of integration and cooperation to strengthen the Kingdom’s shipping and logistics ecosystem. By combining Saudia Cargo’s established expertise and global capabilities with Riyadh Cargo’s future ambitions, we will provide our customers with more integrated solutions to facilitate trade. This aligns with our joint efforts to transform the Kingdom into a premier global logistics hub, while driving sustainable growth for both organizations.” — Mansour Alasmi, vice president – network & revenue, Saudia Cargo
Pravin Singh, vice president of cargo at Riyadh Air, underscored the digital and strategic dimensions of the partnership:
“As Riyadh Air builds a global airline from the heart of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Cargo has a clear ambition to become a modern, digitally enabled, and reliable cargo business serving customers across key international markets. This agreement supports that ambition by extending our reach, opening new trade opportunities, and helping position Riyadh as an important gateway in the future of global logistics.” — Pravin Singh, vice president of cargo, Riyadh Air
Operational context and timing
The interline agreement was finalized and announced on 28 July 2026, coinciding with parallel developments across the air cargo sector — including DHL’s acquisition of Venipak Group in the Baltic States and Qatar Airways Cargo’s launch of seasonal Boeing 777 freighter services on European routes, also reported on 28 July 2026.
Riyadh Cargo has recently appointed General Sales and Service Agents (GSSAs) across Egypt, India, and the United Arab Emirates — reinforcing its commercial groundwork ahead of new route launches. These appointments support service delivery in markets where Riyadh Cargo does not yet operate direct flights but plans to serve via interline partnerships.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
