Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline expands operations in Pakistan

Flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier and a subsidiary of Saudia Airlines, has expanded its presence in Pakistan with new flight routes to Islamabad and Peshawar, according to a statement from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) released on Monday.

The airline launched its operations in Pakistan on February 1 with an inaugural flight to Karachi. Continuing its expansion, Flyadeal operated its first flight to Islamabad on Sunday, arriving at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh with 65 passengers.

The return flight carried 172 passengers back to the Saudi capital.

On Monday, Flyadeal further extended its services by launching flights to Peshawar.

The airline’s inaugural flight landed at Bacha Khan International Airport in the northwestern city, also arriving from Riyadh.

According to the PCAA, Flyadeal will now operate two weekly flights between Riyadh and Peshawar, scheduled every Monday and Wednesday, while weekly flights to Islamabad will operate on Sundays.

The Pakistan Airports Authority welcomed Flyadeal’s entry into the local aviation market, stating that the addition of routes to Peshawar and Islamabad will improve air connectivity, enhance passenger convenience, and strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Flyadeal’s expansion is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to boost tourism and attract over 150 million visitors annually—both domestic and international—by the end of the decade.

Each year, thousands of Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia for religious and tourism purposes. The Kingdom also hosts a large Pakistani expatriate population of over 2.5 million residents.