Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline, Flyadeal, has officially launched its operations in Pakistan.
Its inaugural flight from Riyadh landed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Saturday morning. The airline, a subsidiary of the Saudi national carrier Saudia, is set to expand its network across major Pakistani cities.
The airline’s inaugural flight, F3-661, from Riyadh touched down at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 8:04 AM, receiving a ceremonial water salute to mark the occasion.
Flyadeal’s flight schedule to Pakistan
- Riyadh to Karachi – Every Thursday
- Jeddah to Karachi – Every Saturday
Growing market for Saudi-Pakistan travel
Speaking on the milestone, Flyadeal CEO Con Korfiatis highlighted the airline’s commitment to expanding its global network, hinting at potential new routes to Pakistan in the future.
Flyadeal’s Head of Sales, Farooq S. Ahmad, highlighted the strong demand for travel between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. With millions of Pakistanis residing in the Kingdom and religious tourism driving frequent travel, Saudi Arabia remains one of the most popular destinations for Pakistani travellers.
“In the Pakistani market, Saudi Arabia is probably the number one destination,” Ahmad said. “People travel for Hajj and Umrah, while a significant number of blue-collar and white-collar workers frequently visit their families.”
Strong demand, competitive fares
Flyadeal previously operated Hajj charter flights to Pakistan in 2024, but this marks the airline’s first-ever scheduled commercial service in the country.
Flyadeal operates on a low-cost model but caters to travellers from all backgrounds. The airline’s first Karachi-Riyadh flight had a full capacity of 186 passengers, and according to Ahmad, flights for the coming week are already fully booked.
Expanding across Pakistan
Flyadeal has ambitious plans for Pakistan, aiming to expand to Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan, and Sialkot. “We have a comprehensive plan for Pakistan,” Ahmad said, adding that the airline has already established an office in Karachi.
With Flyadeal’s entry into Pakistan’s aviation market, travellers can expect affordable travel options between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, catering especially to ex-pats, business travellers, and pilgrims.
