ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, Flyadeal, has expanded its operations in Pakistan with the launch of inaugural flights to Peshawar and Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Monday.
The airline’s inaugural flight to Islamabad landed at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh on Sunday, carrying 65 passengers. The return flight departed with 172 passengers on board.
On Monday, the airline operated its first flight to Peshawar from Riyadh.
“Flyadeal will now operate two weekly flights from Riyadh to Peshawar every Monday and Wednesday,” the PCAA said.
Meanwhile, the airline will operate a weekly flight to Islamabad on Sundays, the statement added.
“The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) welcomed Flyadeal’s entry into Pakistan’s aviation market, noting that the new services to Peshawar and Islamabad will strengthen connectivity, facilitate passenger convenience, and further boost ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the PCAA said.
Flyadeal’s expansion into Pakistan aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to grow its tourism sector under the Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to attract over 150 million domestic and international tourists annually by the end of the decade.
Each year, thousands of Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism and religious purposes. The Kingdom also hosts a large Pakistani expatriate community, with over 2.5 million nationals living and working there.
This expansion highlights Pakistan’s growing importance as a rapidly expanding aviation market for Saudi carriers.
In 2024, an estimated 5.9 million passengers travelled between the two countries, with seat capacity climbing annually.
Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudi Airlines, began scheduled international operations in 2021. It now operates 28 international routes to destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Central Asia.
The airline currently operates 41 Airbus A320-family aircraft and three A330s. The airline has ambitious plans to expand its fleet to 98 aircraft over the next four and a half years.
This growth will include the addition of A321neo and A330neo models, supporting Flyadeal’s continued international expansion.
