ISLAMABAD: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new full-service national carrier, has launched its first direct flights to Pakistan, marking its entry into South Asia with the arrival of its inaugural service at Islamabad International Airport.
The first flight landed in Islamabad on August 14, a date carrying cultural and diplomatic significance as Pakistan marked its 79th Independence Day. The airline has started daily non-stop operations between Riyadh and Islamabad, while its Lahore service is scheduled to begin on August 18.
The capital-to-capital route connects King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh with Islamabad International Airport (ISB). Riyadh Air said the daily service will operate under two flight timings. Flight RX0659 departs Riyadh at 13:45 four times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while flight RX0661 departs Riyadh at 20:10 three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
For Lahore, flight RX0675 from Riyadh to Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) will begin on August 18 and operate three times a week at 13:40 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. All timings are local.
The new Pakistan routes will be operated by Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring the airline’s latest cabin interiors and onboard product.
Inaugural ceremonies were held at King Khalid International Airport and Islamabad International Airport to mark the launch. The Riyadh event was attended by H.E. Ahmed Farooq, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The ceremony in Islamabad was attended by H.E. Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; Lieutenant General (Retd.) Muhammad Ali, HI(M), Secretary Defence and Chairperson, CAA Board, Pakistan Ministry of Defence; Major General Qaisar Suleman, HI(M), Additional Secretary (Aviation), Aviation Division, Pakistan Ministry of Defence; Ms. Shazia Rizvi, Joint Secretary (Aviation), Aviation Division, Pakistan Ministry of Defence; Mr. Nadir Shafi Dar, Director General of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority; Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, SI(M), Director General of the Pakistan Airports Authority; Mr. Sohail Babar Warraich, Deputy Secretary, Pakistan Ministry of Defence; aviation authority representatives from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; and senior Riyadh Air executives.
The airline said the direct services between Riyadh and Pakistan’s major centres reflect the longstanding relationship between the two countries, based on shared faith, diplomatic cooperation and wide-ranging economic ties.
The route is expected to serve an important travel requirement for more than two million Pakistani expatriates working in Saudi Arabia across healthcare, technology, finance and construction, as well as thousands of pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom every year for religious purposes. It will also offer families and travellers a direct journey home and provide Saudi-based institutions with access to Islamabad’s diplomatic and commercial centres.
Beyond point-to-point travel, the service is designed to support onward transit through Riyadh as the Saudi capital strengthens its role as a major aviation and logistics hub and Riyadh Air expands its network.
Flight schedule, all times local:
Islamabad route
RX0659: August 14 inaugural flight, King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Islamabad International Airport (ISB), departing 13:45 and arriving 20:00, four times weekly on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
RX0660: August 14 inaugural flight, Islamabad International Airport (ISB) to King Khalid International Airport (RUH), departing 21:30 and arriving 00:00 the next day, four times weekly on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
RX0661: August 15 inaugural flight, King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Islamabad International Airport (ISB), departing 20:10 and arriving 02:25 the next day, three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
RX0662: August 16 inaugural flight, Islamabad International Airport (ISB) to King Khalid International Airport (RUH), departing 04:25 the next day and arriving 06:50, three times weekly on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Lahore route
RX0675: August 18 inaugural flight, King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE), departing 13:40 and arriving 19:50, three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
RX0676: August 18 inaugural flight, Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) to King Khalid International Airport (RUH), departing 21:20 and arriving 00:00 the next day, three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Riyadh Air said passengers may check riyadhair.com for updated schedules.
Tickets for the new routes are available through the Riyadh Air App, the airline’s website at www.riyadhair.com, and preferred travel providers and platforms. Guests have also been invited to become Founding Members of Sfeer, the airline’s loyalty programme, which offers a Best Offer Guarantee, free Wi-Fi and rewards from the first flight.
Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will offer Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. The onboard experience includes ergonomic seating, improved privacy and storage, Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova inflight entertainment system, mobile-first connectivity, wireless listening, elevated dining, Saudi-made Kayanee amenities, bespoke Disney kits for children and a five-sense wellness programme designed to help passengers arrive refreshed.
Sfeer, Riyadh Air’s loyalty programme, takes its name from the Arabic word for Ambassador and the English word sphere. The airline said the programme reflects Saudi Arabia’s generous spirit and aims to build a global community of travellers. Members receive a Best Offer Guarantee, no points expiry and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, while early members join The Founders club with priority access to bookings on new routes and other benefits.
