FedEx has received an economic license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia to operate as a foreign air carrier. This move is seen as a significant development that strengthens Riyadh’s goals of becoming a global logistics hub under Vision 2030.
New Office Opening in Riyadh
The license announcement was made during the opening ceremony of FedEx Saudi Arabia’s new headquarters in Riyadh. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, GACA Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, and senior aviation officials.
Increase in Cargo Capacity
The license grants FedEx the right to operate 24 cargo flights per month via King Khalid International Airport. As of September 2, FedEx has started direct flights to Riyadh, providing connections to Gulf countries and strengthening cross-border trade routes.
Saudi Arabia’s Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to reach an annual cargo volume of 4.5 million tons by 2030. FedEx’s expanding presence is considered a significant contribution to this target.
GACA’s Vice President for Economic Policies and Logistics Services, Awad Al-Sulami, stated that granting the license would “contribute to the country’s economic growth toward becoming a global logistics hub by providing faster and more practical logistics solutions for consumers and businesses.”
Record Aviation Traffic in 2025
The aviation sector in Saudi Arabia showed strong growth in the first half of 2025:
463,800 flights, a 4% increase compared to the previous year
575,000 tons of air cargo transported
66.7 million passengers traveled
Regulatory Reforms and Investments
Regulations introduced in November 2023 opened up competition in cargo and ground services. Additionally, infrastructure investments, such as the Riyadh Integrated Special Logistics Zone, aim to attract international operators.
GACA emphasized that FedEx’s decision “reflects confidence in the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s aviation sector, the transparency of regulations, and the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.”
