Federal Express (FedEx) has launched its first dedicated freighter service into Saudi Arabia, connecting the country with the US and Europe.
Operating six times per week with a Boeing 777 freighter, the service connects the Americas and Europe to Riyadh, with onward connections to Guangzhou and Shanghai in China.
From Riyadh, shipments destined for the Northern Gulf markets are further distributed via the FedEx air and Middle East road network.
FedEx said it is the first express logistics provider to offer a nonstop route from the West to Saudi Arabia.
The flights are expected to enable Saudi-based businesses and SMEs to access time-efficient and reliable imports from key global markets through express and economy services. The flights are especially valuable for time-sensitive deliveries in critical sectors, said FedEx.
In addition to expanding connectivity, the dedicated 777F capacity is suitable for bulky, oversized, palletised, or heavy shipments, as well as temperature-controlled and dangerous goods.
This supports the specialised needs of high-growth and regulated industries such as energy, manufacturing, mining, healthcare, and automotive.
“This new flight is a strategic expansion of our global network, extending our connectivity through the Middle East and further increasing resilience and flexibility of our worldwide operations," said Richard Smith, chief operating officer, International, and chief executive officer, Airline, FedEx.
“It reflects our commitment to expanding trade lanes that align with our customers’ evolving needs. As we continue to grow and adapt our network, this connection ensures our customers can operate with greater speed and confidence in an increasingly dynamic trade environment.”
“By bolstering Saudi Arabia’s connectivity, we are empowering businesses across the Kingdom to compete more effectively on the global landscape and integrate seamlessly into international supply chains,” added Kami Viswanathan, president of FedEx Middle East, India Subcontinent, and Africa.
“This milestone emphasises our continued investment in accelerating economic growth and advancing the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a leading logistics hub. The launch of this flight, alongside our enhanced customs clearance and pickup and delivery capabilities, marks a pivotal step in deepening our long-term presence in Saudi Arabia.”
The new FedEx flight is a key element of the company’s growth strategy in Saudi Arabia. This strategy includes infrastructure developments such as the planned regional hub at the King Salman International Airport, which is currently under development.
FedEx's hub at the airport will serve Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, FedEx has introduced its FedEx Logistics division in Saudi Arabia to provide freight forwarding solutions.
The airline said Saudi Arabia’s air cargo sector is growing rapidly, with volumes reaching 0.9m tons in 2024 and projected to nearly triple to 2.4m tons by 2033.
FedEx has announced several firsts for its global air network this year. In April, it launched its first direct flight from Singapore to Anchorage, US and in July, it launched its first direct flight between South Korea and Taiwan.
In June, FedEx Express celebrated the 40th anniversary of its inaugural scheduled transatlantic service.
