SAL Logistics Services Company, the leading cargo handling and logistics solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, today (August 2) announced the completion of its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of leading Belgian ground handling and cargo company Aviapartner Liège SA.
This marks SAL’s first operational presence outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and expansion of its network to 20 stations.
The SAR120 million ($31.4 million) 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 tonnes 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 airport’s advanced cargo infrastructure, 24/7 operations and absence of night-time curfew restrictions support fast, reliable and time-sensitive cargo movement across European markets.
On the strategic buy, CEO Omar Talal Hariri said: "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."
"Aviapartner Liège gives us our first international operating base, supported by specialist expertise and customer relationships that can strengthen the way we serve 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.
Through Aviapartner Liège, SAL gains an established cargo handling and warehouse logistics provider within this ecosystem, backed by the wider Aviapartner group's 60-year presence at Liège Airport.
The company brings long-standing airline, freight forwarder and logistics customer relationships, together with operational expertise across cargo handling, ramp assistance, warehouse logistics and specialist freight processing including pharmaceuticals, perishables, specialist freight, automotive and other high-value cargo segments.
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, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
