- 866,000 tonnes of air cargo were handled at Saudi airports between January and September 2025, including 567,000 tonnes of O&D freight and 299,000 tonnes of transit cargo.
- Saudia Cargo expanded its global network through key partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Cargo Airlines, and FedEx – boosting connectivity to e-commerce and manufacturing hubs.
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs) like the Riyadh Integrated Logistics Zone attracted major global tenants (Apple, SHEIN, Lenovo, iHerb), reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role in regional supply chain infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s air cargo sector continues its upward trajectory, with the Kingdom handling 866,000 tonnes of freight between January and September 2025 — underscoring its expanding role as a strategic global logistics hub. The latest figures, released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) during the 18th Aviation Program Steering Committee meeting, highlight the sector’s growing contribution to Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).
Of the total throughput, 567,000 tonnes comprised origin-and-destination cargo, while 299,000 tonnes were transit shipments, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s increasing strength as a pivotal transshipment gateway. This momentum has been supported by Saudia Cargo’s widening international network, underpinned by partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Cargo Airlines, and FedEx, enhancing access to key e-commerce and manufacturing corridors.
The cargo performance aligns with the broader aviation sector’s growth. Saudi airports handled 103.1 million passengers over the same nine-month period, while flight movements reached 713,000, registering annual increases of 9 percent and 5 percent respectively. The Kingdom now offers connectivity to more than 170 global destinations, reinforcing its role as a major regional aviation hub.
Significant progress was also reported within the Kingdom’s emerging logistics ecosystem. Special Economic Zones — particularly the Riyadh Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ) — continue to attract prominent global brands, including Apple, SHEIN, Lenovo, and iHerb. These zones are becoming essential anchors for regional e-commerce flows and supply chain consolidation, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a high-value logistics and distribution centre for global trade.
Saudi Arabia’s recent re-election to the ICAO Council for 2026–2028, securing 175 out of 184 votes, further underscores strong international confidence in the Kingdom’s aviation leadership across both passenger and cargo domains.
The Steering Committee meeting, chaired by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and hosted by Saudia Cargo CEO Loay Mashabi, also discussed the rapid development of the charter and private aviation segment. A notable milestone was the approval granted to VistaJet, making it the first foreign private operator licensed to conduct domestic flights within the Kingdom.
As global supply chains continue to evolve amid shifting trade patterns, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself not merely as a link between markets — but as a critical cargo gateway connecting East and West, with infrastructure, partnerships, and regulatory reforms driving its next phase of growth.
