Saudia Cargo is continuing to expand its global partnerships through a new cooperation agreement with China Cargo Airlines.
This follows an MoU between Saudia Cargo and China Cargo Airlines, signed in April, that is aimed at developing interline agreements and capitalising on trade growth between Saudi Arabia and China.
The new cooperation agreement aims to strengthen the air cargo network between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe by providing additional routes and capacity across key trade lanes, as well as reinforcing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub.
More specifically, the agreement aims to "significantly" increase cargo flight frequencies between Riyadh and Shanghai, alongside boosting connections to various European destinations.
A major highlight is the launch of the first-ever direct cargo route between Riyadh and Budapest; a move designed to strengthen Saudi Arabia's ties with European commercial centres and pave the way for future expansion into African markets, said Saudia Cargo.
Additionally, the partnership will deliver cargo solutions to clients, encompassing advanced cold chain services and efficient road freight connectivity.
Loay Mashabi, chief executive and managing director of Saudia Cargo, said: “This partnership with China Cargo Airlines is a pivotal moment for Saudia Cargo and a testament to our unwavering commitment to expanding our global reach and enhancing our service offerings.
"By strengthening our network between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, we are not only facilitating trade but also actively contributing to the Kingdom's vision of becoming a world-class logistics hub. The new Riyadh-Budapest route is particularly exciting, opening up new avenues for trade and connectivity.”
He added: “This strategic partnership reflects both parties' shared commitment to innovation, enhancing customer satisfaction, and strengthening the efficiency of global supply chains. It also comes as an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties earlier this year, within the framework of their shared vision for enhanced cooperation in the air cargo sector."
The airline has recently struck several other partnership deals to help it expand in China.
Earlier this month, Saudia announced a joint venture (JV) agreement with Hong Kong-headquartered GSSA TAM Group to establish a ”Saudia Cargo Global” entity that will focus on enhancing commercial reach, service capabilities, and customer engagement in Greater China and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
The JV followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Saudia Cargo and China Henan Aviation in May to work on developing new cargo services.
Additionally, this month Saudia signed global logistics partnership agreements with Scan Global Logistics (SGL) and Air Logistics Europe, plus signed an agreement with Rhenus Logistics to to strengthen international cooperation in airfreight.
