• 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 to gain altitude, with 866,000 tonnes handled between January and September 2025 — a sign of the Kingdom’s growing influence as a global logistics hub. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) released the latest performance figures during the 18th Aviation Program Steering Committee, underscoring cargo’s role in advancing Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

Of the total volume, 567,000 tons came from origin-and-destination shipments, while 299,000 tons moved in transit — a testament to Saudi Arabia’s evolving position as a strategic transshipment point. Saudia Cargo’s expanding global footprint, driven by partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Cargo Airlines, and FedEx, continues to connect the Kingdom to key e-commerce and manufacturing markets.

The announcement came alongside broader aviation growth data: 103.1 million passengers passed through Saudi airports over the same period, and total flight movements hit 713,000 — up 9 percent and 5 percent respectively. Connectivity now spans more than 170 destinations worldwide.

Special attention was given to air logistics zones, particularly the Riyadh Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ), which has secured major global tenants such as Apple, SHEIN, Lenovo, and iHerb. These Special Economic Zones are emerging as high-value nodes in the Kingdom’s strategy to capture regional e-commerce flows and accelerate supply chain integration.

Saudi Arabia’s recent re-election to the ICAO Council for 2026–2028 with 175 out of 184 votes also reflects international confidence in its growing aviation stature — both in passenger and cargo sectors.

The SteerCo meeting, chaired by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and hosted by Saudia Cargo CEO Loay Mashabi, also addressed the rise of charter and private aviation. Notably, VistaJet became the first foreign private operator licensed to conduct domestic flights in Saudi Arabia.

As global attention turns to trade resilience and airfreight agility, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself not just as a transit stop — but as a critical cargo gateway bridging East and West.