Saudia Cargo Posts Steady Growth Across 2025 Operations

Why It Matters

The expansion strengthens Saudi Arabia’s logistics hub, boosting capacity and connectivity across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and positions Saudia Cargo to capture growing airfreight demand.

Key Takeaways

• 573,000 tonnes moved across ~4,000 flights in 2025.
• On‑time performance exceeded 90% with NPS of 57.
• Two A330‑300F freighters leased for 2026 capacity boost.
• New cargo routes launched to Zhengzhou and Milan.
• Earned IATA CEIV Fresh and four new ISO certifications.

Pulse Analysis

Saudia Cargo’s 2025 performance underscores the carrier’s rising prominence in the global airfreight arena. Handling 573,000 tonnes of cargo across roughly 4,000 flights, the airline delivered 15,000 tonnes of Saudi exports while maintaining an on‑time performance above 90 percent. These figures reflect a disciplined focus on operational reliability and illustrate how the Saudi Arabian carrier is leveraging its hub in Riyadh to capture growing demand for Middle‑East logistics services. The growth aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes logistics as a pillar of economic diversification, and reflects increasing demand from e‑commerce and manufacturing sectors.

Capacity growth formed a core pillar of the year’s strategy. Saudia Cargo signed a lease with ASL Aviation for two Airbus A330‑300F freighters slated for 2026 delivery, a move that will expand payload capability and support higher frequency on key lanes. The carrier also opened permanent cargo services to Zhengzhou, China, and Milan, Italy, strengthening its Asia‑Europe‑Middle‑East corridor and offering shippers more direct, time‑critical options. Furthermore, the new freighters will feature advanced fuel‑efficiency technologies, reducing carbon intensity per tonne‑kilometer and helping Saudia Cargo meet emerging environmental standards.

Service quality remained a differentiator, as evidenced by a Net Promoter Score of 57 and the attainment of IATA’s CEIV Fresh certification for perishables handling. Adding four new ISO certifications, Saudia Cargo now holds six international accreditations, reinforcing trust among global trade partners. These certifications also enable the airline to handle temperature‑sensitive pharmaceuticals and fresh produce, opening higher‑margin segments and attracting multinational supply‑chain contracts. The combined effect of higher capacity, expanded routes, and robust quality standards positions the airline to capture a larger share of the burgeoning air cargo market and to support Saudi Arabia’s broader export diversification goals.