ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flyadeal is set to more than double its presence in Pakistan by launching four new direct routes between the two countries later this August, reinforcing its strategic international expansion.
The airline will start services between Riyadh and Islamabad, Peshawar, and Sialkot, along with flights from Dammam to Karachi, beginning between August 24 and 26, operating two to three weekly flights on each route using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Notably, the Riyadh–Sialkot route, abandoned by PIA in 2023, will be exclusively operated by Flyadeal, making it the sole carrier on that segment.
These additions will expand Flyadeal’s Pakistani network from two to six cities, following its entry into the market in February 2025 with flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Karachi. The new launch reflects the growing aviation demand between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan — a market that saw 5.9 million two-way passengers in 2024, according to Sabre Market Intelligence.
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Flyadeal’s growing operations in Pakistan are part of its wider strategy to significantly expand its international network. According to CEO Steven Greenway, the airline aims to have global routes account for half of its total operations in the coming years. A subsidiary of Saudia, Flyadeal currently serves 28 international destinations and operates a fleet of 41 Airbus A320-family jets and three A330s. Plans are underway to expand the fleet to 98 aircraft, including the addition of A321neo and A330neo models, to support this international growth.
Pakistan now ranks as the third-largest international destination from Saudi Arabia in terms of seat capacity. This growth is largely driven by demand related to family visits, religious travel, and labor migration. With an estimated 2.64 million Pakistani nationals living in the Kingdom, the need for frequent and accessible air links continues to rise.
According to industry sources, competition on the new routes will come from carriers such as Saudia, Flynas, Airblue, Serene Air, and PIA — except on the Riyadh–Sialkot route, where Flyadeal will operate as the sole provider.
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