ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has signed a cargo agreement with Riyadh Air, the newly launched Saudi Arabian carrier, to strengthen its global freight operations and boost revenue generation.
According to a PIA spokesperson, under the agreement, cargo will be brought from Pakistan and London to Riyadh, from where the cargo will be transported to its destination through the network of both airlines.
This agreement is formally effective from today, October 29.
With the growing demand for air cargo services worldwide, this deal with Riyadh Air marks an important milestone for the national carrier, paving the way for enhanced international business ties and greater operational efficiency.
This cargo partnership also reflects PIA’s commitment to adapting its operations in response to global market trends, setting the stage for future growth and expansion in the air transport sector.
The spokesperson added that PIA already maintains a cargo partnership with British Airways, through which around 1,000 tonnes of cargo are transported to the United Kingdom annually.
Strategic Step Forward
The development follows Riyadh Air’s rapid emergence as a key Gulf aviation player under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework, which aims to position Riyadh as a regional logistics hub.
By linking with Riyadh Air, PIA expects to benefit from that infrastructure and reassert its presence in the regional freight market.
“Cargo partnerships like this can redefine PIA’s revenue model if managed efficiently,” an aviation consultant told Dawn, adding that freight operations offer “stability and flexibility that passenger segments often lack.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historically maintained close ties, which have expanded in recent years to include enhanced strategic and economic cooperation.
During Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s visit to Riyadh on September 18, the two countries signed a landmark defence pact and, last year, agreed on 34 memorandums of understanding worth $2.8 billion across various sectors.
The relationship between the two nations is rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic partnership, with Riyadh serving as a key political and economic ally of Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia is also home to over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, who constitute the largest source of remittances for Pakistan’s $407 billion economy.
