Saudi aviation chiefs have given take-off clearance for the building of a giant cargo terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Mr Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, granted a license to Singapore company SATS for the provision of freight services at the capital’s airport.
The authority’s partnership with SATS is aimed at improving the operational efficiency of air freight services and logistical integration at regional and international levels in a bid to achieve the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a key transport hub linking three continents.
genericforgreece.comUnder the agreement, SATS will build its cargo terminal in two stages covering a total area of 60,000 sq. m. On completion, the complex will be capable of handling 600,000 tonnes of cargo a year, with the first phase of construction expected to be finished by mid-2022.
SATS will also offer facilities to handle perishable goods and pharmaceutical products. The second cargo terminal at the city airport will cater for around 40 per cent of the Kingdom’s air freight through connections with the Singapore company’s terminals in Dammam, Oman and other Asian countries.
The Riyadh cargo village will form part of an integrated plan to boost the operational efficiency of the Kingdom’s air transport sector. The multi-functional shipment and clearance destination will be the first of its kind in the Middle East. Spread over 275,000 sq. m, it will have an annual handling capacity of 1.6 million tonnes and also provide shipping and express cargo services.
Source : Various Agencies