Riyadh Air (RX) has officially entered the Pakistan market with the launch of daily nonstop flights between King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh (RUH) and Islamabad International Airport (ISB). The new route strengthens air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan while supporting growing passenger demand.
The inaugural Riyadh Air (RX) flight arrived at Islamabad International Airport (ISB) carrying its first passengers before departing with a full outbound load. The launch marks another step in the airline’s international expansion strategy as it builds its global network.
Riyadh Air Strengthens Connectivity to Pakistan
Riyadh Air officially launched its Pakistan operations with the arrival of Flight RX660 at Islamabad International Airport on Friday evening.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the inaugural service landed with 69 passengers and later departed Islamabad with 272 passengers.
The airline hosted an inauguration ceremony at Islamabad International Airport to commemorate the milestone. The event was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malki, Riyadh Air Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste, senior officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority, and representatives from the aviation and government sectors.
The new service provides a daily nonstop connection between the Saudi and Pakistani capitals, offering travelers seven flights every week. The route is expected to improve travel options for business travelers, families, tourists, and religious pilgrims who frequently travel between the two countries.
Daily Flight Schedule Between Riyadh and Islamabad
Riyadh Air will operate the route using two flight schedules throughout the week.
- Flight RX0659 departs Riyadh at 1:45 p.m. every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Flight RX0661 departs Riyadh at 8:10 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The airline is operating both services with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, which forms the backbone of its long-haul operations. The aircraft offers modern cabins and is designed to deliver improved fuel efficiency while supporting Riyadh Air’s international growth plans.
Lahore Service Begins August 18
Riyadh Air’s expansion in Pakistan will continue shortly after the Islamabad launch.
Beginning August 18, the airline will introduce nonstop flights between King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore (LHE). The Lahore service will operate three times each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Like the Islamabad route, the Lahore flights will also be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, providing passengers with a consistent onboard experience across the Pakistan network.
The addition of Lahore gives Riyadh Air a presence in two of Pakistan’s largest aviation markets within days of entering the country.
Growing Demand Supports New Services
Air travel between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan remains one of the busiest international travel markets in the region.
More than two million Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia across industries including healthcare, construction, finance, information technology, and other professional sectors. This large expatriate population generates year-round demand for direct air services between the two countries.
Beyond expatriate travel, the market also benefits from business travel, family visits, tourism, and religious pilgrimage. Direct flights reduce travel times while providing passengers with additional choices for reaching their destinations.
Riyadh Air stated that the new Pakistan services will also allow travelers to connect through Riyadh to its expanding international network as the airline continues adding new global destinations.
Part of Riyadh Air’s Global Expansion Strategy
Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and plays a central role in the Kingdom’s aviation growth strategy.
The airline aims to connect Riyadh with more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to increase tourism, diversify the economy, and strengthen the country’s position as a global aviation hub.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan described the launch as another step toward strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations through improved air connectivity.
The Pakistan Airports Authority also welcomed the airline’s arrival, describing the launch as an important milestone for bilateral aviation ties. Officials said the additional services would improve passenger movement while supporting closer cooperation between the aviation sectors of both countries.
The inaugural Islamabad service also coincided with Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, giving the airline’s first arrival in the country additional symbolic significance.
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