ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (WNP): Flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost airline and a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), has officially expanded its scheduled flight operations to Pakistan, connecting Riyadh with Islamabad and Peshawar after already commencing service to Karachi earlier this year.

The milestone was marked at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIAP), Peshawar, on Monday, where Flyadeal’s inaugural flight from Riyadh was celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony organized by Menzies RAS. The event, held in the International Departure Lounge, was attended by representatives of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), Airport Security Force (ASF), and other aviation officials. The carrier will now operate two weekly flights between Riyadh and Peshawar every Monday and Wednesday.

A day earlier, on Sunday, Flyadeal’s flight FAD 651/652 landed at Islamabad International Airport, where it was accorded a traditional water salute. The flight touched down ahead of schedule at 06:08 AM with 65 passengers onboard, while the return flight departed at 07:33 AM with 172 passengers. The airline will operate weekly Riyadh–Islamabad flights every Sunday.

Flyadeal had earlier launched operations to Karachi on February 1, 2024, when its inaugural flight F3-661 arrived at Jinnah International Airport from Riyadh at 8:04 AM to a ceremonial water salute. The airline currently operates two weekly flights to Karachi—one from Riyadh on Thursdays and another from Jeddah on Saturdays.

Welcoming the expansion, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority said, “Flyadeal’s entry into Islamabad and Peshawar will significantly enhance connectivity, provide more travel options to passengers, and further strengthen the historic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.”

The airline had earlier operated Hajj charter flights in 2024, but this expansion marks its first scheduled network across three major Pakistani cities.

Saudi Press Attaché in Islamabad, Dr. Naif Al-Otaibi, praised the development in a post on X, calling it a vital step in strengthening people-to-people linkages and bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism.

“Flyadeal’s entry into the Pakistani market reflects the growing demand for affordable, quality air travel between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,” Dr. Otaibi said. He added that the new routes would benefit Pakistani expatriate workers, Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, as well as tourists and business travelers.

Passengers in Islamabad and Peshawar expressed enthusiasm over the airline’s affordable fares, expecting more competitive pricing on the busy Pakistan–Saudi Arabia corridor. Aviation experts also believe the move will stimulate healthy competition, ultimately lowering costs for travelers.

Industry analysts view Flyadeal’s expansion as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aviation strategy, designed to boost global connectivity and establish Riyadh as a major regional hub.

With direct services now linking Riyadh, Jeddah, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi, Flyadeal is expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting the rising demand for low-cost, reliable, and convenient travel between the Kingdom and Pakistan.