Key Points
- Riyadh Air flight landed with 69 passengers Friday evening.
- The return flight carried 272 passengers from Islamabad.
- New service strengthens Pakistan-Saudi Arabia aviation connectivity.
ISLAMABAD: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has officially launched operations in Pakistan, with its inaugural flight arriving at Islamabad International Airport on Friday evening, marking a new milestone in air connectivity between the two countries.
Flight RX-660 landed at 7:42 pm, carrying 69 passengers and received a ceremonial water salute before proceeding to the terminal.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) hosted an inauguration ceremony at the airport, attended by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki, PAA Director General Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, senior government officials and Riyadh Air executives.
The Saudi ambassador said the new service would further strengthen longstanding relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by improving direct air connectivity.
Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed welcomed Riyadh Air’s entry into the Pakistani market, saying the new connection would facilitate passenger movement and promote greater cooperation in the aviation sector.
The launch ceremony featured ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremonies, while Riyadh Air management outlined plans for future expansion and growth in Pakistan.
Riyadh Air is expected to operate seven flights a week between Riyadh and Islamabad, adding another direct option for passengers travelling between the two countries.
Following the inauguration, flight RX-660 departed Islamabad at 9:56 pm, carrying 272 passengers.
The airline’s entry into Pakistan comes as Islamabad and Riyadh seek to deepen bilateral ties, while increased air connectivity is expected to facilitate travel, business and people-to-people links.
