The service marks FedEx as the sole express logistics provider offering such nonstop connectivity to the Kingdom. FedEx executives emphasised that the launch embodies strategic expansion of their global network through the Middle East, enhancing flexibility and resilience in international operations.
From Riyadh, cargo continues via the FedEx air and Middle East road networks to reach Northern Gulf markets, while offering express and economy solutions for Saudi‑based businesses — especially those in critical or time‑sensitive sectors.
The move comes on the heels of an economic licence issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, authorising FedEx to operate as a foreign air carrier in the Kingdom with up to 24 dedicated cargo flights a month via King Khalid International Airport.
Officially launching the flight and a new head office in Riyadh, Saudi transport and aviation officials highlighted the investment's alignment with the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a global logistics hub.
As part of a broader expansion, FedEx is developing a regional hub at King Salman International Airport, which will serve not only Saudi Arabia but also Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Additionally, FedEx Logistics has been introduced in the Kingdom, offering freight‑forwarding solutions across air, road, and ocean, along with customs brokerage and transit‑cargo services.
FedEx’s local presence now includes four gateways and four stations, enabling it to manage pickups, deliveries, and customs clearance directly. These efforts are supported by enhanced digital tools that improve visibility, efficiency, and supply‑chain control.
The expansion arrives amid a period of robust growth in Saudi air cargo volumes — recorded at 0.92 million tonnes in 2024 and projected to reach 2.45 million tonnes by 2033 — underscoring strong demand for efficient trade‑enabling logistics solutions.
Saudi officials, including the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and high-ranking GACA representatives, stressed that FedEx’s investments reflect growing confidence in the country’s logistics sector. FedEx leaders, in turn, framed the developments as pivotal to facilitating seamless integration of Saudi businesses into global supply chains.
The launch coincides with trade data showing a US$ 16.8 billion surplus in Q1 2025 — a 52 percent rise from the preceding quarter — reflecting surging export performance and accelerating demand for robust logistics infrastructure.
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Saudi Arabia