Air freight alliance SkyTeam Cargo has announced the appointment of Omar Hariri, CEO of Saudi Airlines Cargo (Saudia Cargo) and Saudi Arabian Logistics (SAL), as new chairman of its executive board. 

He replaces Shawn Cole, VP  of Delta Cargo, who chaired for the last three years. 

“It will be an honour chairing the executive board of SkyTeam Cargo, the largest alliance in the cargo industry accounting for nearly 20% of the global air cargo movement. SkyTeam Cargo with its two decades of formulation has come a long way and with its 12-member airlines reaching every corner of the globe, enjoys a vast geographic reach and connectivity between the east and west and vice versa,” Hariri expressed in a statement. 

“With the growing demand for pharma and e-commerce, our aim is to continue exploring new markets while enhancing connectivity and efficient deliveries, further grow and strengthening the core business of our 12-member airlines,” he added. 

Also read: Saudia Cargo expands fleet to seven with Boeing 747-400F 

Hariri joined Saudia Cargo as CEO in February 2018, with extensive experience in air freight and logistics management from previous roles with DHL Express and FedEx Express. 

Outgoing chairman, Shawn Cole, commented, “Our true character was revealed in the face of the many unprecedented challenges brought upon us by COVID-19. I know that Omar Hariri will serve our alliance well as we continue to navigate through the crisis, rebuild network connectivity and contribute to support the transportation of vaccines”. 

Saudia Cargo is the latest member of SkyTeam Cargo after joining in April 2019. The air cargo group, which marked its 20th anniversary last September, counts Aeroflot Cargo, Aerolíneas Argentinas Cargo, Aeromexico Cargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, China Cargo Airlines, Czech Airlines Cargo, Delta Cargo and Korean Air Cargo as its members. 

Collectively, the alliance of 12 member airlines is working together with more than 3,337 aircraft, including 63 full freighters to 159 destinations.