Saudia Cargo expands scheduled flights, adds Shanghai to network

Saudia Cargo expands scheduled flights, adds Shanghai to network

Saudia Cargo has expanded its robust cargo network with the addition of Shanghai station to its flight schedules which commenced last Saturday, August 15.

Saudia Cargo now operates two flights a week, Saturdays and Tuesdays, originating from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to the new destination using a Boeing 777 Freighter which has a 95-tonne capacity.

The Saudi national air freight carrier’s network expansion was in response to the growing demand for air cargo capacity, according to reports issued since last March.

Using charter flights booked by Saudia Cargo clients, the company has so far transported over two million kilograms of medical and pharmaceutical supplies required for facing the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to other millions of other life-saving cargoes needed at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Saudia Cargo CEO Omar Hariri said the company took proactive and practical steps to ensure the continuity of cargo operation to the Kingdom through non-stop charter flights despite the challenges COVID-19 posed.

The company, he added, operated 29 unscheduled all-cargo flights from Shanghai International Airport to the Kingdom to meet the growing demand for cargo.

“Saudia Cargo’s high-level flexible schedules enabled it to respond swiftly to the increasing demand for cargo during the suspension of flights. We enhanced the charter flight services while our teams conducted an in-depth analysis of markets and order rates, which helped in the decision-making process for the network,” said Hariri who also expressed gratitude to the dedicated Saudia Cargo teams who performed their jobs despite the virus threat.

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James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.

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