Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market

Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market Overview:

The Saudi Arabia air freight market size reached USD 2.87 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach USD 5.03 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.76% during 2025-2033. The market is driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes trade diversification and global logistics integration. The expansion of healthcare infrastructure has spurred specialized pharmaceutical air freight services, enhancing medical supply chain capabilities. Additionally, e-commerce growth and strategic ambitions to serve as a Middle Eastern distribution hub are further augmenting the Saudi Arabia air freight market share.

Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market Trends:

Vision 2030 and Diversification of Trade Sectors

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a primary force driving transformation across all logistics sectors, including air freight. As part of its economic diversification strategy, the Kingdom is actively reducing its reliance on oil exports by strengthening other industries such as advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and technology. This diversification requires highly efficient supply chain frameworks, with air freight at the core of rapid international and regional trade. Saudi Arabia’s air cargo volume reached 1.2 million tons in 2024, marking a 34% increase from 2023, with March as the peak month at 123,000 tons. The cargo comprised 64,000 tons outbound, 720,000 tons inbound, and 407,000 tons transit, supported by a 361-aircraft fleet (+11%), including 258 commercial aircraft (+12%) and 97 large-capacity (>250 seats) planes. The Saudi Logistics Hub initiative supports this effort, positioning Saudi Arabia as a gateway for cargo movement between Asia, Africa, and Europe. Additionally, the government has designated air cargo logistics zones around key airports like King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), attracting foreign direct investment in freight terminals and bonded warehouses. These zones feature streamlined customs processes and multimodal transport links for greater efficiency. Saudi Arabia is also fostering international alliances with logistics providers to expand global cargo routes. The integration of these strategic objectives with air logistics infrastructure development highlights the central role air cargo plays in Saudi Arabia air freight market growth, establishing the sector as critical to the nation’s evolving trade landscape.

E-Commerce Expansion and Middle East Distribution Hub Aspirations

Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding e-commerce sector is creating strong demand for agile, air-based logistics solutions capable of meeting rising consumer expectations for fast deliveries. With leading e-commerce platforms scaling operations in Riyadh and Jeddah, there is increasing reliance on air freight to shorten delivery timelines, particularly for cross-border transactions. The Kingdom’s ambitions to establish itself as a central distribution hub for the Middle East further emphasize the role of air cargo in enabling swift regional order fulfillment. Private sector investments in fulfillment centers and bonded warehousing near airports are facilitating faster customs processing and last-mile delivery. Additionally, collaborations between Saudi airlines, global integrators, and major retailers are enhancing dedicated air cargo capacity for time-sensitive goods, including electronics, luxury products, and personal care items. Saudi Arabia handled 713,600 tons of air cargo in 2023, ranking 30th globally in air cargo and 27th in trade volume, supporting the country's import-export activity through its growing aviation infrastructure. The air transport sector contributes USD 90.6 Billion to GDP (8.5%) and 1.4 million jobs, with USD 52.9 Billion from tourism linked to aviation and USD 60.6 Billion from international tourist spending. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has introduced policy frameworks to optimize air cargo operations specifically for e-commerce logistics. This convergence of retail modernization, strategic infrastructure planning, and government policy is positioning Saudi Arabia as a critical player in regional e-commerce logistics, firmly embedding air freight at the heart of future supply chain strategies.

Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on service, destination, and end-user.

Service Insights:

• Freight
• Express
• Mail
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the service. This includes freight, express, mail, and others.

Destination Insights:

• Domestic
• International

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the destination. This includes domestic and international.

End-User Insights:

• Private
• Commercial

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end- user. This includes private and commercial.

Regional Insights:

• Northern and Central Region
• Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all major regional markets. This includes Northern and Central Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and Southern Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market News:

• On June 19, 2025, Saudia Cargo announced two global logistics partnership agreements with Air Logistics Europe and Scan Global Logistics (SGL) during Air Cargo Europe in Munich, Germany, to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air freight connectivity. These alliances aim to enhance cargo operations between Saudi Arabia, Europe, and the UK, with Saudia Cargo transporting 577,870 tons of cargo in 2024, marking a 27% year-on-year growth. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics expansion, supporting its rapidly growing USD 90.6 billion aviation-driven GDP contribution.
• On June 16, 2025, Saudi Arabia-based leasing company AviLease announced a direct order for 10 Airbus A350 freighters at the Paris Air Show, marking its first aircraft purchase from a manufacturer. The deal also includes options for 11 additional freighters, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its economy under Vision 2030. The A350F, capable of carrying 120 tons over 4,700 nautical miles, will support growing air cargo demand, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s expanding freight capabilities.

Saudi Arabia Air Freight Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Saudi Arabia air freight market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia air freight market on the basis of service?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia air freight market on the basis of destination?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia air freight market on the basis of end-user?
• What is the breakup of the Saudi Arabia air freight market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Saudi Arabia air freight market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Saudi Arabia air freight market?
• What is the structure of the Saudi Arabia air freight market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Saudi Arabia air freight market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Saudi Arabia air freight market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Saudi Arabia air freight market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Saudi Arabia air freight industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.