Saudi Arabia has made a bold stride in its drive to further solidify its position as a global logistics hub through a new deal between SAL Logistics Services and China’s SF Airlines, accelerating the Kingdom’s efforts to foster air cargo connectivity with one of its largest trading partners.
The partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to boost supply chain efficiency, expand international logistics networks and promote the growing volume of trade between Riyadh and Beijing.
Enhancing Cargo Operations
Signed through SAL’s Ground Handling Division, the deal will see the Saudi logistics company provide a series of integrated ground handling and operational services for SF Airlines, one of China’s most prominent air cargo carriers and a subsidiary of SF Express.
Through a global network covering over 130 destinations, SF Airlines brings extensive international reach, while SAL contributes its expertise in cargo handling and airport logistics to offer seamless operations within the Kingdom.
Advancing Vision 2030’s Logistics Goals
In line with the Saudi Vision 2030, the partnership comes as both countries are expanding trade and investment ties to support logistics infrastructure in both countries.
By combining SAL’s expertise in ground handling and air cargo services with SF Airlines’ expanding operations in the Kingdom, the agreement is poised to elevate operational efficiency and enhance the reliability of cargo handling. The collaboration also highlights the pivotal role of strategic international partnerships in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious objectives to become a prestigious global logistics hub while streamlining the increasing flow of trade between the Kingdom and China.
“Under the agreement, SAL will provide integrated operational services, including air cargo handling, aircraft loading and offloading, in addition to a range of related operational services for operated flights,” SAL wrote on X.
Building a Global Logistics Gateway
Under the Saudi Aviation Strategy, the Kingdom seeks to increase annual passenger traffic to 330 million, expand air connectivity to more than 250 destinations, and raise air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030.
To this end, Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in airports, logistics infrastructure and multimodal transport networks while attracting leading international cargo operators. Therefore, deals such as the collaboration between SAL and SF Airlines are anticipated to further reinforce supply chains, facilitate cross-border commerce and strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a gateway linking Asia, Europe and Africa.
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