LAHORE: Saudi carrier Riyadh Air’s inaugural flight RX-676 landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on Tuesday, marking the airline’s entry into the city and establishing a new air link between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The carrier will operate three flights per week between Riyadh and Lahore, providing passengers with a direct travel option while further expanding air connectivity between the two countries.
The inaugural flight arrived from Riyadh in the evening and was welcomed with a traditional water salute arranged by the Fire and Rescue Services of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), marking the formal launch of the airline’s operations in Lahore.
A ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremony was subsequently held at the International Departure Lounge to commemorate the occasion and officially mark the start of the new route.
Riyadh Air’s inaugural flight RX-676 arrived this evening at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore from Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/u89mXXWvPt
— Pakistan Airports Authority (@Pk_PAA_Official) August 18, 2026
Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malkiy attended the ceremony along with the Chief Operating Officer and Airport Manager, Deputy Airport Manager of Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, as well as officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority and Airport Security Force (ASF).
الرحلة الافتتاحية للطيران الرياض الى مطار لاهور 🪻😍✈️
HZ-RXAG
RX675
RUH – LHE@RiyadhAir #riyadhair#طيران_الرياض#الرياض#riyadh#AviationNews #aviation#aircraft#airplane#avgeek#airport#مطار#طيار#كابتن#pilot#pilotlife#aviator#captain#السعودية#السعوديه_العظمى… pic.twitter.com/aJd6sMuFOo— Aviation.SA7 (@AviationSA7) August 18, 2026
During the ceremony, the Saudi ambassador presented commemorative souvenirs to the Chief Operating Officer and Airport Manager, Deputy Airport Manager of PAA Lahore, and the Chief Security Officer of the Airport Security Force.
Senior representatives of Riyadh Air, including the Group Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chief Operating Officer, were also present at the event. Senior officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority and Airport Security Force attended the ceremony as well.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than two million Pakistanis, making Pakistan one of the Kingdom’s largest aviation markets.
Riyadh Air begins Islamabad flights
The launch of the Lahore route follows Riyadh Air’s entry into Pakistan through Islamabad. The airline began its operations in the country on August 14, when its inaugural flight, RX-660, arrived at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh.
وصلنا إلى باكستان 🇵🇰
انطلقت أولى رحلاتنا إلى إسلام آباد، في خطوة جديدة ضمن توسّع شبكتنا المتنامية وربط الرياض بوجهات رئيسية حول العالم. pic.twitter.com/ovyo370VuB
— Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض (@RiyadhAir) August 14, 2026
The Islamabad inaugural flight was also received with a traditional water salute, while a ceremony was held at the airport in the presence of the Saudi ambassador, Director General of the Pakistan Airports Authority Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, senior officials and members of Riyadh Air’s management.
Also Read: Riyadh Air Takes Off in Pakistan, Launches Seven Weekly Islamabad Flights
The launch of the Lahore service further expands Riyadh Air’s presence in Pakistan and provides passengers with another direct connection to Saudi Arabia. The new route is expected to facilitate travel between Lahore and Riyadh while strengthening broader aviation and people-to-people links between the two countries.
Riyadh Air, flagship project backed by PIF
Riyadh Air is a flagship project backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is expected to play a central role in transforming Riyadh into a major international gateway connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.
Saudi Arabia officially launched Riyadh Air in June this year, its new national carrier, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and strengthen its position as a global aviation hub.
The airline’s inaugural commercial flight departed Riyadh for London aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, signalling the start of operations for Saudi Arabia’s second state-owned airline after Saudia.
The carrier has ambitious expansion plans and aims to connect more than 100 international destinations within the next five years. To support its growth strategy, Riyadh Air has already ordered 132 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with options for additional purchases in the future.
Saudi Arabia aims to increase annual air traffic to 330 million passengers by the end of the decade as it prepares to host major global events, including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
Riyadh Air currently operates flights to destinations including London, Manchester, Madrid, Málaga, Dubai, Cairo, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Manila, Islamabad, Lahore, and Jeddah.
