Saudi Arabian Logistics (SAL), the cargo logistics arm of national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines, has launched its operations at the Model Cargo Village at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (KKIA). The launch was announced during a webinar attended by Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, president of General Authority of Civil Aviation; Sami Sindi, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines; Fawaz Al-Fawaz, SAL chairman; Mohammad Abunayyan, SAL executive board member; and Mohammed Al-Maghlouth, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company.
The operations at the new facility were launched under the patronage of Minister of Transport Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, who hailed the SAL facilities at KKIA and spoke highly of the vital role the cargo services and operations play in providing foodstuffs, medical supplies and essential goods. The new project will handle all types of cargo and help transform the Kingdom into a global logistics center.
SAL CEO Omar Hariri said that although the Kingdom is facing great difficulties and challenges because of the COVID-19 crisis, the development taking place in the country has not stopped.
The new integrated logistics project provides general and specialized handling services for cold chain goods, perishables, medicine, cars and hazardous materials including express and air mail as well as e-commerce shipments.
The facility occupies an area of 42,000 square meters and includes a 20,000-square-meter warehousing facility with an area of 6,600 square meters for exported goods, 6,500 square meters for e-commerce and 5,200 square meters for cold storage shipments. The capacity of the entire facility can go up to 450,000 tons a year. The handling operations are performed through 16 loading docks and the cargo village has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
Hariri also pointed out that the new cargo facilities at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport will be ready by September with a total area of 131,000 square meters, of which 65,000 square meters will be dedicated to warehouses. The facilities will help enhance the flow of cargo to and through the Kingdom and make the country a global logistics hub.
