Swissport Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Air have signed a long-term partnership to establish a Centralised Load Control (CLC) centre in Riyadh, creating a new load control capability for the Saudi aviation sector.
The centre is expected to become operational within eight months and will manage load control activities for Riyadh Air flights across its domestic and international network.
Centralised Load Control covers aircraft load planning, weight and balance calculations and the preparation of load documentation required before departure. By locating these activities in a dedicated centre in Riyadh, the partners intend to provide centralised support for Riyadh Air as its network develops.
The partnership will also focus on developing Saudi talent in load control and related flight operations. Swissport and Riyadh Air will invest in knowledge transfer and skills development, with Swissport Academy providing structured training covering load planning, weight and balance and associated operational processes.
The centre will operate using Swissport’s systems, procedures and operational standards. It will add Centralised Load Control to Swissport Saudi Arabia’s existing aviation services and could provide a basis for developing additional load control capabilities in the future.
Pankaj Handa, Vice President of Ground Operations at Riyadh Air, said:At Riyadh Air, we are building a global airline from the Kingdom, and we believe achieving that ambition starts with developing strong and sustainable operational capabilities here at home. Our partnership with Swissport Saudi Arabia is an important step in developing specialized expertise and strengthening local capabilities in a critical area of airline operations, supporting the growth of our global network and our ambitions for the future. The value of this partnership goes beyond the delivery of operational services. It is about transferring knowledge, developing capabilities and contributing to the wider aviation ecosystem in the Kingdom as the sector continues its rapid transformation.
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and is developing its network as part of the Kingdom’s wider aviation expansion under Vision 2030. The airline plans to connect Saudi Arabia with destinations internationally, with Riyadh positioned as the carrier’s main hub.
For Swissport, the agreement builds on its existing operations in Saudi Arabia. The aviation services company has operated in the Kingdom for 10 years and currently employs more than 6,000 people across 20 airports.
Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia, said:This partnership is an important step in developing specialized aviation expertise in the Kingdom. We will combine Swissport’s global standards and experience with local talent, supported by Swissport Academy, to build a strong team capable of operating the center and supporting Riyadh Air’s growing network from Saudi Arabia.
The new centre will bring Swissport’s operational experience together with Riyadh Air’s network development plans and investment in local skills, creating a dedicated load control function based in Saudi Arabia.
