Saudia Cargo has signed a new 12-month "space and service commitment" agreement with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group.

The agreement — which commenced on April 1, 2023, until March 31, 2024, reserves exclusively selected SACC freighter flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh and Liege.

 Source: Saudia Cargo

In the announcement, Saudia noted that the signing of the new agreement in Munich demonstrates its continuing commitment to offering tailor-made solutions to one of the leading ECOM retailers in the world.

"We are thrilled to continue this partnership and explore new lanes from Hong Kong and China to other destinations and provide them with customized solutions that meet their evolving needs," said Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo.

"This new agreement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable and efficient air freight services to one of the world's leading e-commerce logistics corporations," he added.

Increased capacity to meet e-commerce demand

Vikram Vohra, Saudia Cargo's regional director of Asia Pacific, added that the success of last year's cooperation agreement with Cainiao allowed Saudia Cargo to achieve significant growth in e-commerce shipments.

"We have increased our capacity and number of cargo flights to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America to ensure we continue to meet the rising demand for e-commerce," Vohra said.

Saudia Cargo noted that its partnership with Cainiao is a "win-win situation" for both parties, as it provides Cainiao with increased access to Middle Eastern markets and allows Saudia Cargo to benefit from the growing global e-commerce market.

The new agreement is also a testament to the strong partnership and successful cooperation between the two companies.

Regarding the new agreement, Wu Man, general manager of Cainiao International Air Logistics Department, said:" Our partnership with Saudia Cargo is a vital part of our business strategy, and we are thrilled to be expanding it further."

"By reserving exclusive space for their shipments on select Saudia Cargo freighter flights, we can ensure that our cargo is transported with the utmost care and efficiency," Man said.

Saudia Cargo noted that as it continues to grow its partnership with Cainiao,  it is also exploring new lanes from Hong Kong and China to the Middle East, Africa, and possibly Latin America in the long term.