Saudi Arabia will carry 866,000 tons of air cargo in 2025

• From January to September 2025, 866,000 tons of air cargo were transported at Saudi airports, including 567,000 tons of transportation and distribution goods and 299,000 tons of transit goods.

• Saudi Cargo has expanded its global network through key partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Cargo Airlines and FedEx – enhancing connectivity to e-commerce and manufacturing hubs.

• Special Economic Zones (SEZs), such as the Riyadh Integrated Logistics Zone, have attracted major international tenants (Apple, SHEIN, Lenovo, and iHerb), strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role in regional supply chain infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s air freight sector continues to grow, with 866,000 tonnes handled between January and September 2025 – a sign of the kingdom’s growing influence as a global logistics hub. The Civil Aviation Administration released the latest performance figures at the 18th Aviation Program Steering Committee meeting, highlighting the role of cargo in advancing Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

Of the total volume, 567,000 tonnes came from origin and destination cargo, while 299,000 tonnes were transported in transit – a testament to Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a strategic transit destination. Saudi Cargo’s expanding global footprint, driven by partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Air Freight, and FedEx, continues to connect the Kingdom’s key e-commerce and manufacturing markets.

The announcement came alongside extensive aviation growth data: 103.1 million passengers passed through Saudi airports in the same period, and total air traffic reached 713,000 – up 9 percent and 5 percent respectively. Connectivity now extends to more than 170 locations worldwide.

Special attention was paid to air logistics zones, especially the Riyadh Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ), which included major international tenants such as Apple, SHEIN, Lenovo and iHerb. These special economic zones are emerging as high-value points in the kingdom’s strategy to capture regional e-commerce flows and accelerate supply chain integration.

Saudi Arabia’s recent re-election to ICAO Council membership for the 2026-2028 period, with 184 to 175 votes, also reflects global confidence in its growing position in the aviation industry – both in the passenger and cargo sectors.

The SteerCo meeting, which was chaired by General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz Al-Dawailj and hosted by Saudi Cargo CEO Loui Mashabi, also highlighted the rise of charter and private aviation. It is worth noting that VistaJet became the first private foreign company to be licensed to operate domestic flights in Saudi Arabia.

As global attention turns to trade flexibility and air freight flexibility, Saudi Arabia is positioned not just as a transit station – but as an important shipping gateway to the east and west.