Saudia Cargo said it operated over 1,500 cargo flights since the COVID-19 restrictions came into effect in March.

Saudia Cargo CEO Omar Hariri said the Saudi Arabian airfreight flag carrier created the largest cargo air bridge to deliver vital goods and medical equipment to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during coronavirus outbreak. 

The carrier noted that 500 of these flights have been operated using passenger aircraft deployed for international air cargo, according to an announcement by the company.

From March through June, Saudia Cargo has transported around 75,000 tons of vital shipments to the Kingdom including medical and PPE equipment as part of the Saudi health authorities’ efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

Hariri said since COVID-19, mobilized its vast logistics resources to ensure the smooth delivery of medical shipments to the Kingdom and has established an integrated cargo air bridge specifically for this purpose.

The company as operated a combined fleet of freighter and passenger aircraft enhancing all operations related to the air transportation of medical equipment and medicines to the Kingdom in order to mitigate the economic and health impact of COVID-19.

Deploying passenger aircraft to carry cargo only including the utilization of aircraft cabin loads — in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation — has enhanced the capabilities of the cargo air bridge used for transporting essential supplies and vital commodities thus ensuring the Kingdom’s markets and supply chain demands were consistently met.