Riyadh Cargo now operational on London route, handling perishables and high-value goods as PIF-backed airline scales toward network goal
Recently launched Saudi Arabian airline, Riyadh Air has launched cargo operations using belly capacity on its passenger fleet.
Riyadh Cargo’s strategy includes the utilisation of capacity on over 120 widebody aircraft that are on order, said Riyadh Air in a press release.
According to Riyadh Air's website, the airline is ultimately set to have 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 39 Boeing 787-9s, with another 33 more of the type as yet unconfirmed.
The airline, which according to Planespotters currently has one Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in operation that is leased from Oman Air, launched daily 787-9 flights from Riyadh's King Khalid International (RUH) into Heathrow (LHR) last year.
Riyadh Cargo has already demonstrated successful operations on the RUH-LHR route, where it has successfully transported "substantial cargo volumes", including time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments. Cargo has included garments and textiles, fresh flowers, seafood, tea, and coffee.
“Riyadh Cargo has been built with a clear focus on operational discipline, reliability, and long-term scalability,” stated Pravin Singh, global head of cargo at Riyadh Air.
“Launching within a live environment allows us to test, learn, and continuously refine how we operate, while delivering real value to our customers from the get-go. The launch of the brand is a foundational step in building a cargo business that grows alongside our network expansion and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions.”
The carrier, which is backed by Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), has plans to connect Riyadh with 100 destinations by 2030.
To support its operations, Riyadh Cargo has partnered with CHAMPS’s Cargo spot-neo, a next-generation cargo end-to-end platform. The digital management system enables greater operational control, enhanced data visibility, and more responsive decision-making, supporting service reliability as volumes and network complexity expand, said Riyadh Air.
Additionally, last year Riyadh Air selected SATS Saudia Arabia to provide cargo handling services at several airports across the country, signed a deal with Unilode for the supply and management of its ULDs and appointed FlyUs Aviation to provide General Sales Agent (GSA) services covering the UK and Ireland.
