Saudia Cargo plans to double its fleet by adding four Boeing 777-200F jets over two years as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to become a major logistics hub. The Gulf carriers, including Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, are expanding their cargo capacity despite a recent slowdown in freight traffic. Middle East carriers saw a 1.7% increase in cargo traffic in July compared to the previous year, but volumes on key routes from Europe and Asia fell for the fifth straight month. Emirates SkyCargo has already converted its first Boeing 777-300 passenger jet into a freighter, with at least three more conversions planned.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Saudia Cargo, the cargo division of Saudi Arabian Airlines, plans to double its fleet by adding four Boeing 777-200F jets over more than two years as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to become a major logistics hub connecting three continents. The new aircraft will be used for nonstop long-haul routes carrying heavy and temperature-sensitive goods. This expansion is part of a broader trend among Gulf carriers, including Emirates SkyCargo, which recently flew the first commercial conversion of a passenger plane into a freighter, and Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, which are also increasing their cargo capacity through dedicated freighters and belly space. However, demand for air cargo is not yet meeting the increased supply, with Middle East carriers' cargo traffic rising only 1.7% year-on-year in July, despite a 4.0% increase in capacity.
Written for “Gulf Airlines Expand Fleets” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 3873 · logged 2026-09-04
Saudia Cargo will double its fleet, adding four Boeing 777-200F jets over more than two years, as Saudi Arabia pushes to become a logistics hub linking three continents.
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Arabia → double → continents
The aircraft will carry heavy and temperature-sensitive goods nonstop on long-haul routes, an executive told Asharq Al-Awsat.
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executive → carry → Awsat
Other Gulf carriers have been adding freight capacity throughout the war.
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carriers → add → war
Emirates SkyCargo in July flew the first commercial Boeing 777-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion, carrying more than 100 tons from Hong Kong to Dubai, with Israel Aerospace Industries contracted for at least three more conversions.
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Industries → fly → conversions
Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are expanding through dedicated freighters and belly capacity.
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Airways → expand → freighters
That capacity is arriving before the freight has fully returned, however.
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freight → arrive → ?
Middle East carriers’ cargo traffic rose 1.7% year-on-year in July compared to a 4.0% increase in capacity, IATA said, while volumes on crucial routes from Europe and Asia to the Middle East fell for a fifth straight month.
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volumes → rise → month
