Saudi SAL Logistics Services Company on Sunday announced the completion of its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Aviapartner Liège SA, marking SAL’s first operational presence outside Saudi Arabia and expanding its network to 20 stations. The approximately 120 million Saudi riyals (28 million euros) transaction was completed in cash, funded through SAL’s internal resources, following receipt of all required regulatory approvals. With the acquisition, SAL expands its network and gains a direct operating base at Liège Airport in Belgium, Europe’s fifth-largest cargo hub by freight volume, handling more than one million tons of cargo annually and ranking among the world’s top 25 cargo airports. Liège has recorded one of the strongest cargo growth trajectories among Europe’s leading cargo airports, with cargo volumes increasing by more than 50% since 2018. The acquisition gives SAL a strategic position in a major European cargo gateway. Located within Europe’s cargo “Golden Triangle”, a region through which more than 70% of European freight flows, Liège offers strong connectivity to major trade and transport hubs in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. The acquisition creates strategic and operational synergies across air cargo handling, specialist freight processing, warehouse logistics and European road distribution. For SAL, this adds immediate operational depth in Europe, expands the scope of services it can offer at international airports, strengthens its ability to support cargo flows between Saudi Arabia, Europe and wider global markets, and enhances the value it delivers to both existing and new customers. “This acquisition is an important step in the next phase of SAL’s strategy,” said Chief Executive Officer of SAL Omar Talal Hariri. “Our ambition is not only to grow our footprint, but to build a platform that connects markets, capabilities and customers across key global trade corridors,” he added. According to Hariri, Aviapartner Liège gives SAL its first international operating base, supported by specialist expertise and customer relationships that can strengthen the way it serves airlines, freight forwarders and cargo owners. “As we scale beyond the Kingdom, we remain focused on building capabilities that support our customers and contribute to the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global logistics hub under Vision 2030,” he added. The acquisition forms part of SAL’s strategy to scale its platform, expand into new markets and strengthen connectivity between the Kingdom and global markets, in support of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
