JEDDAH — Omar Hariri, CEO of Saudia Cargo and chairman of the Saudi Arabian Logistics Co. (SAL), said that all arrangements and capabilities have been put in place to receive the consignment of coronavirus vaccine after its approval by the relevant authorities. "The Model Cargo Village at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, and cargo facilities at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are ready to receive refrigerated shipments and medical materials. "The operating capacities of the pharmaceutical facilities are in a state of maximum readiness to receive and handle shipments of the vaccine in a safe and sound manner," he said in an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Hariri said that the Saudia fleet has contributed to transporting 12 million kilograms of consignment of medicines and medical supplies to the Kingdom during the pandemic period from March to the end of October this year. The shipments were made on board 1,767 flights of cargo planes, while 1,080 passenger flight services were also used for freight and supply shipment. He said that all Saudia cargo planes, including scheduled and chartered flights, are ready to transport the shipments. "We boast of having trained technical teams and equipment for transporting drugs and pills, and all of them are fully prepared to deal with drug and medical shipments," he added. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabian airlines launched SAL as a new independent entity and strategic business unit within the national carrier in December last year.
