Saudi Airlines Cargo has released performance results for the first six months of this year, revealing a 6% growth in a sluggish air cargo market. In the period from January - June 2013 Saudia Cargo moved a total of 270,000 tons, thus breaking last year's record of 250,000 and achieving a 6% increase in revenue and a 4% increase in tonnage. Cargo moved on the bellies grew by 29%, with the main contributors being the USA (+50%) and the UK (+40%), while cargo boardings on the freighter network grew by 3%. The airline's growth is the result of a number of factors. During the first half of the year, the carrier increased its freighter capacity from Dhaka and commenced B747 freighter flights in Mumbai and Kano, Nigeria. It also started operations with its first B747-8F in June, which is currently scheduled on Riyadh - Hong Kong - Riyadh - Frankfurt - Saudi Arabia flight rotations.