Saudia Signs Strategic Aviation and Cargo Pacts With Air India and Riyadh Air

The Saudia Group expanded its strategic reach in late July 2026 through two major aviation agreements. First, Saudia and Air India signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their partnership, building upon an existing codeshare agreement. The two airlines will focus on wider network integration, terminal co-location, and operational and commercial collaboration. The agreement also explores expanding cooperation to include their respective group carriers, flyadeal and Air India Express, to meet rising travel demand between Saudi Arabia and India.

Simultaneously, Saudia Cargo entered an interline agreement with Riyadh Cargo, the freight division of Riyadh Air. This partnership merges Saudia Cargo's established operational expertise with the digitally native model of Riyadh Cargo. The collaboration supports Riyadh Cargo's ambition to serve over 100 global destinations by 2030, adding cities such as Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, and Dhaka to its current services in London and Dubai.

These initiatives align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to position Riyadh and Jeddah as complementary trade gateways. Executives from the involved carriers stated that these partnerships provide passengers and shippers with greater flexibility and seamless journeys while strengthening the shipping and logistics ecosystem of the Kingdom.