Saudi Air Cargo Slumps as Riyadh Airport Faces Precautionary Closure
What Happened?
Saudi Arabia experienced a 33% decline in international air cargo capacity following an operational shutdown of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport through at least 17 October. The near-total cargo collapse at the hub has stranded regional transit freight and prompted carriers to cancel services. Forwarders are now evaluating road feeder alternatives and rerouting options across Europe-Asia transit corridors.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Published date
October 28, 2026
Advisory category
port_disruption
Affected Trade lanes
Europe -> Asia
Affected Ports
SARUH, Riyadh
Who is Affected?
Air freight forwarders, BCOs, and cargo shippers managing air freight shipments transiting through Saudi Arabia and the wider Europe-Asia corridor.
Source:
NewsTrack air cargo shipment
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