Hainan Airlines partners with SATS for cargo handling in Saudi Arabia
SATS to oversee 2,400+ tonnes of annual airfreight for Hainan Airlines, managing import, export, and specialised cargo.
China's major airline, Hainan Airlines, has chosen Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) for cargo handling services in Saudi Arabia.
Hainan currently operates three Airbus passenger flights a week to Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Under the terms of the new agreement, SATS will be responsible for managing warehouse operations for an annual volume exceeding 2,400 tonnes of airfreight, encompassing import, export, and transit shipments, including the handling of specialised cargo for Hainan Airlines.
“It is important to Hainan Airlines and our customers that we work with cargo handling partners that can consistently meet the service standards we require. SATS and WFS share our approach and, together, they now offer us the opportunity to work with a single partner at more major airports across our network,” says Jiandong Liu, General Manager of the Ground Handling Management Division at Hainan Airlines.
SATS has been present in the Saudi Arabian air cargo market for over six years and handles over 60,000 tonnes of cargo and mail per annum for 19 airline customers.SATS manages this business through its operations spanning three key locations at Saudi Arabia's largest cargo airports.
“We welcome Hainan Airlines as a customer of SATS in Riyadh and Jeddah. The airline is an important and growing partner of the SATS Group globally and we look forward to supporting its growth in Saudi Arabia through the provision of high-quality cargo handling services in our modern and well-equipped facilities. This new contract also leverages the capabilities and reputation earned by Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, for the cargo handling services it already provides for Hainan Airlines in Europe and North America,” says Bob Chi, CEO of Gateway Services at SATS.
In Riyadh, SATS Airfreight Terminal spans 30,000m² and can handle more than 300,000 tonnes of cargo annually. Additionally, SATS manages a second 30,000m² warehouse in Dammam and an 8,000m² facility in Jeddah, capable of processing 36,000 tonnes each year, mentions the release.
SATS also provides road freight services connecting the three airports, including Medina Airport.
