SAL Completes Aviapartner Liège Acquisition to Expand Global Logistics Network - Business Today Middle East
SAL Logistics Services Companyhas completed the acquisition of100% of Aviapartner Liège SA, marking the company’s first operational presence outside Saudi Arabia and expanding its global network to20. . .
SAL Logistics Services Companyhas completed the acquisition of100% of Aviapartner Liège SA, marking the company’s first operational presence outside Saudi Arabia and expanding its global network to20 stations. The acquisition, valued at approximatelySAR120 million (€28 million), was fully financed through SAL’s internal resources following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. With the transaction, SAL establishes a strategic operating base atLiège Airportin Belgium, Europe’s fifth-largest cargo airport by freight volume. The airport handles more thanone million tonnes of cargo annuallyand ranks among the world’s top 25 cargo hubs. Cargo volumes at Liège have grown by more than50% since 2018, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing cargo gateways. The acquisition strengthens SAL’s presence within Europe’s cargo“Golden Triangle”, a key logistics corridor through which more than70% of European freightmoves. The location provides direct access to major trade and transport networks acrossGermany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. SAL said the acquisition will generate significant operational and commercial synergies across air cargo handling, specialised freight processing, warehouse logistics and European road transportation. The move also enhances the company’s ability to facilitate cargo flows between Saudi Arabia, Europe and international markets while expanding the range of logistics services offered to airlines, freight forwarders and cargo owners. Chief Executive OfficerOmar Talal Hariridescribed the acquisition as a major milestone in SAL’s international expansion strategy, noting that the company aims to build a global logistics platform connecting customers, markets and capabilities across key international trade corridors. He added that Aviapartner Liège provides SAL with valuable operational expertise and long-standing customer relationships that will strengthen its international service offering. The acquisition forms part of SAL’s long-term growth strategy to expand into new markets and enhance global connectivity in support of theNational Transport and Logistics Strategyand the objectives ofSaudi Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a leading global logistics hub.