Saudi SAL Logistics Expands Internationally, Acquires Belgium's Aviapartner Liège

Saudi SAL Logistics Services Company has completed its first international expansion by acquiring 100% of Aviapartner Liège SA for approximately 120 million Saudi riyals (28 million euros). This cash transaction, funded internally and approved by regulators, marks SAL's entry into its first operational base outside Saudi Arabia.

The acquisition establishes SAL's presence at Liège Airport in Belgium, a significant European cargo hub. Ranking as Europe's fifth-largest by freight volume, Liège handles over one million tons of cargo annually and is among the world's top 25 cargo airports. The airport has shown strong growth, with cargo volumes increasing by more than 50% since 2018.

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This acquisition is an important step in the next phase of SAL’s strategy. 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.

Strategically positioned within Europe's "Golden Triangle" for freight, Liège offers robust connectivity to major trade centers in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg. The acquisition is expected to create synergies in air cargo handling, specialist freight processing, warehouse logistics, and European road distribution. For SAL, this means enhanced operational depth in Europe, expanded service offerings at international airports, and improved support for cargo flows between Saudi Arabia, Europe, and global markets.

Omar Talal Hariri, CEO of SAL, stated that the acquisition is a key step in the company's strategy to build a platform connecting markets, capabilities, and customers across global trade corridors. He emphasized that Aviapartner Liège provides SAL with its first international operating base, supported by specialist expertise and customer relationships. Hariri also noted that this expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a leading global logistics hub.

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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.