Saudia Cargo has announced a significant expansion of its international flight network with the official launch of a new scheduled route connecting Riyadh (RUH) to Melbourne (MEL), Australia. Commencing on July 25, this new route marks a major milestone in the company’s strategic expansion, establishing a direct air bridge between the Kingdom and the Australian market. To operate this route, the company announced the use of a Boeing 747-400 freighter, which provides cargo capacities exceeding 100 tons, in addition to nose-loading capabilities to accommodate heavy, oversized, and high-volume shipments.
The launch of the Melbourne route comes in response to market demands, enhancing global supply chains and expanding the reach of Saudi exports to Australia. This announcement also reflects the cooperation between the national logistics carrier, Saudia Cargo, the General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT), and the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports). The company continues to work closely with its partners to open promising horizons and new investment opportunities, in line with the Kingdom’s commercial aspirations.
The Melbourne route is set to contribute to boosting the mutual flow of goods and shipments between the Middle East and Australia. This new line will cater to diverse cargo requirements in both directions, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, and e-commerce goods. To maximise the commercial impact of this logistics corridor, Saudia Cargo is working to elevate coordination with the Saudi-Australian Business Council to reach local logistics partners and provide faster and more efficient transit times, thereby strengthening bilateral trade ties and offering swifter, more flexible transport options.
The company recorded a strong performance last year, successfully transporting more than 570,000 tons of cargo across its extensive global destination network. The announcement of new routes comes alongside a series of practical steps to enhance the capabilities of the company’s fleet, including the recent announcement of a purchase agreement for four Boeing 777-200 freighters, which will strengthen the operational capacity of its dedicated fleet and support its growing presence across global markets.
