Saudia Cargo has expanded its international network with the launch of a scheduled freighter service between Riyadh (RUH) and Melbourne (MEL), strengthening air cargo connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Australia.
The new route marks the company’s first scheduled cargo connection to Melbourne and forms part of its strategy to expand its global network and support international trade.
The service is operated using a Boeing 747-400 freighter with a cargo capacity of more than 100 tonnes. The aircraft also features nose-loading capability, enabling the transportation of heavy, oversized, and high-volume shipments.
Saudia Cargo stated that the new service has been introduced in response to growing market demand and is expected to improve supply chain connectivity while supporting the movement of Saudi exports to Australia.
The initiative has been developed in cooperation with the General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT) and the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports) as part of broader efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s trade and logistics ecosystem.
The company noted that it will continue working with government and industry partners to create new trade and investment opportunities aligned with Saudi Arabia’s economic objectives.
The Melbourne service will facilitate the movement of a wide range of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, and e-commerce shipments. It is also expected to enhance trade flows between the Middle East and Australia by providing customers with faster transit times and additional freight capacity.
To support the new route, Saudia Cargo is working with the Saudi-Australian Business Council to strengthen engagement with logistics providers and expand commercial partnerships in the Australian market.
The launch follows a year of strong operational performance for the airline. Saudia Cargo transported more than 570,000 tonnes of cargo across its international network last year.
The network expansion comes as the company continues to increase its fleet capacity. Earlier this year, Saudia Cargo announced an agreement to acquire four Boeing 777-200 freighters, which will add capacity to its dedicated cargo fleet and support future network growth.
