JEDDAH — Under the aegis of the Minister of Transport Eng. Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabian Logistics (SAL) launched its operations at the Model Cargo Village at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA). The launch was announced during a webinar attended by Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, president of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Sami Sindi, director-general of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Fawaz Al-Fawaz, SAL chairman, Mohammad Abunayyan, SAL executive board member, and Mohammed Al Maghlouth, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company. In a speech, SAL CEO Omar Hariri said although the Kingdom is facing great difficulties and challenges because of COVID-19, the development in the country has continued. This integrated logistics project provides general and specialized handling services for cold chain goods, perishables, medicine, cars and hazardous materials including express and air mail as well as e-commerce shipments. The facility runs on an area of 42,000 square meters and includes a 20,000 square meters warehousing with an area of 6,600 square meters for exported goods, 6,500 square meters for e-commerce and 5,200 square meters for cold storage shipments. The capacity of the entire facility reaches 450,000 tons a year. The handling operations are performed through 16 Loading dock. The facility has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Hariri also, pointed out that the new cargo facilities in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport will be ready this September with a total area of 131,000 square meters of which 65,000 square meters will be dedicated to warehouses. The facilities will help enhance the flow of cargo to and through the Kingdom and make the country a global logistics hub. The Minister of Transport hailed the SAL new facilities at King Khalid International Airport and spoke highly of the vital role the cargo services and operations providing foodstuffs, medical supplies and essential goods. The new project will handle all types of cargo and help transform the Kingdom into a global logistics center. — SG