Riyadh: Turning into an Air Freight Mecca
- Airfreight Insights
- Facts
The Kingdom is investing heavily in its airports and fleet in order to establish itself as an air cargo hub. A $100 billion plan aims to increase the country’s air cargo capacity to over 4.5 million metric tons per year by 2030. While the plan is ambitious, it is not entirely unrealistic – let’s take a closer look...
100 billion US dollars
4.5 million tons per year (by 2030)
Approximately 57 square kilometers
6 parallel runways and 7 terminals
When completed, King Salman International Airport, the capital’s airport in Riyadh, will cover approximately 57 square kilometers and feature six parallel runways and seven terminals. Jeddah and Damman (particularly important for the oil industry) have become other major hubs.
While the plan is ambitious, it is not entirely unrealistic: The market is growing by around 10% each year, primarily due to e-commerce from Asia. To support this growth further, numerous new warehouses are being built in free trade zones across the country.
However, the air cargo hub in neighboring Dubai currently remains the most important transshipment point, with 60% of imported goods being re-distributed, primarily destined for the Saudi market. Not surprising, given the relevance of Dubai’s air cargo hub, primarily located at Dubai International Airport, as one of the world’s busiest and most advanced facilities for air freight. In 2024 it handled 2.2 million metric tons of cargo, proving to be a key global trade link between various continents. According to its “Vision 2030,” the National Aviation Strategy also aims to increase air freight volumes fivefold by 2030 compared to 2019, thus making Saudi Arabia a global megahub.
In order to make Saudi Arabia somewhat more independent of other Middle Eastern carriers such as Etihad Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo, significant investments are being made. Twenty-two A350Fs were recently ordered at the Paris Air Show.
In addition, a second national airline, Riyadh Air, is set to take off soon. But as a passenger airline, it will offer only limited air cargo capacity.
Definitely no mirage built in the sands
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