“We bank on technology – not on chance”
In conversation with Hashim Alsharif, Vice-President, Strategy & Business Development, Saudia Cargo. Artificial intelligence, expanding its fleet, global partnerships – at Air Cargo Europe (ACE) in Munich in June Hashim Alsharif explained how Saudia Cargo embraces digital transformation and why data will soon be more important than the flight schedule. ITJ editor-in-chief Andreas Haug was on hand with some questions.
Saudia Cargo stands out at the trade fair here thanks to its strong presence. What message do you want to send out?
Our appearance at the event is a clear statement of our global ambitions. We want to extend our presence beyond our region and underline our position as a reliable partner for Europe, Asia, the USA, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
Our stand also reflects our commitment to transformation and partnerships. At the same time we want to use the platform to bring Saudi Arabia’s culture and diversity to the attention of an international audience.
How has business been going so far in 2025 for Saudia Cargo?
This year’s been shaped by geopolitical and economic changes, but we’ve stayed on track. Our exports have continued to grow and we continue to work actively to connect east and west.
We’re particularly proud of our export volumes of traditional goods such as dates, roses and mangoes, which are in high demand all around the world. Date exports alone have grown by 64% compared to the previous year – a clear indicator that our export strategy is working.
How does Saudi Arabia’s geographical position contribute to this success?
We’re ideally located a mere six or seven hours by air from some of the world’s major markets. This makes us a natural logistics hub with fast and reliable supply chains. Our central position helps us ensure uninterrupted delivery flows – a key advantage, especially for sensitive or time-critical cargo.
Saudia Cargo recently announced new partnerships in China – with China Cargo Airlines and China Henan Aviation. Please tell us a little more about that.
Our Chinese partnerships, which include new routes to Zhengzhou and Dammam, reinforce our role in the Asia–Europe corridor. We benefit from mutual trust and from growing trade between our two countries.
The overarching aim is to transport exports from Saudi Arabia to Chinese markets efficiently – and to distribute Chinese products all across the globe.
What role does artificial intelligence play in your strategy?
AI is a cornerstone of our transformation. It allows us to accelerate processes, make data-driven decisions and improve services, offering 24/7 availability and personalised interaction.
SACC has a conservative approach to adopting AI, deploying only compliant and proven systems that have been tested and monitored. We’ve invested in AI-powered tools for dynamic pricing, forecasting and tracking. What matters most is the fact that we’re not losing jobs to AI. We’re losing jobs to people who use AI better.
How does Saudia Cargo contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ’Vision 2030’?
We see ourselves as a key enabler of KSA’s ‘Vision 2030’. Our target is to handle 50% of the projected airfreight volume of 4.5 million t. In 2024 KSA already managed more than 1 million t of air cargo – with SACC handling over 50% of this volume. That makes us a driving force in positioning the country as a logistics gateway.
What are your business plans for the next two years?
We aim to further expand our fleet, deploy more efficient aircraft and tap into new markets. Europe is a particular focus, where we want to further strengthen both our capacity and partnerships.
We’re simultaneously pushing ahead with our digital transformation – rolling out systems to boost customer engagement and process efficiency. Two years from now, we’ll be far more visible in Europe.
What do you believe Saudia Cargo will have achieved by 2030?
We want to be among the world’s leading airfreight providers – with a broader network, a larger fleet and advanced technology underpinning our business. There’s strong competition in the region, but our focus on quality, reliability and innovation will come out tops.