For one major automotive spare parts distributor in Saudi Arabia, after-sales service was under strain. Delayed shipments, overland congestion, and slower-than-usual customs were impacting part availability and customer satisfaction.
In July, they made a change: shifting more shipments to Starlinks air freight. Within four weeks, they doubled their air cargo volume, optimizing for speed without overcommitting on cost.
Why They Shifted
- Delivery timelines from seaport-to-branch were stretching to 9–11 days
- Customer complaints from delayed servicing began to increase
- Urgent parts were being airlifted manually, without cost control or coordination
Starlinks stepped in with a tiered service approach:
- Priority uplift for SKUs tied to urgent customer repairs
- Standard air freight for high-moving inventory
- Economy tier for low-risk restocks
Using our Bahrain hub, we ensured faster transit, bonded clearance, and controlled costs across 3 major cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
The Outcome
- Fewer unplanned delays at branch level
- Reduced service downtime and fewer escalations from customers
- Predictable delivery windows matched to part urgency
Their logistics team now has more control, faster response time, and clear options when disruptions hit traditional routes.
Final Word
The shift to air freight isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s as mart contingency in an unpredictable market.
If your aftersales or service operations are relying on rigid freight schedules, it may be time to rethink.
👉 Contact our freight pricing desk to explore how Starlinks can build a flexible air freight strategy that matches your pace.
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