The first scheduled flight arrived on 25 July, just 46 days after Avalon Airport Melbourne signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Australia Saudi Logistics Alliance. Avalon is the first Australian airport to receive freight under the alliance, marking a significant step towards establishing a direct trade corridor between the two countries.
The new service will improve connections between Australia, Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council region. It will also provide Australian exporters with greater access to growing international markets across industries including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing and e-commerce.
Direct services can help reduce reliance on third-country trans-shipment hubs, improving the speed, efficiency and reliability of time-sensitive and high-value freight. With Australian exports to Saudi Arabia reaching approximately $882 million in 2025, the new corridor presents further opportunities for businesses seeking faster access to the Kingdom and surrounding Gulf markets.
For Avalon, the service is another important milestone in its transformation from a traditional passenger airport into a major international aviation, logistics and trade gateway.
Avalon offers curfew-free operations, available capacity and modern freight facilities, providing an attractive alternative for international airlines, freight operators and logistics businesses.
The new service will also strengthen Victoria’s international freight capability, support supply-chain resilience and create new opportunities across the state’s freight, logistics and export sectors.
Located between Melbourne and Geelong, Avalon Airport Melbourne is already home to one of Australia’s fastest-growing logistics precincts. The arrival of Saudia Cargo strengthens that position and supports Avalon’s growing role as a gateway connecting Australian businesses with customers around the world.
