Riyadh Air begins Pakistan operations with daily Islamabad flights. Riyadh Air launches daily Islamabad service, with Lahore flights to follow from August 18 Last updated: August 15, 2026 | 19:37 Huda Ata, Special to Gulf News Islamabad: Riyadh Air has begun operations in Pakistan with the launch of a daily service between Riyadh and Islamabad, marking the Saudi carrier's latest international expansion and adding a new direct link between the two capitals. The inaugural flight, RX-660, arrived at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh on Friday evening carrying 69 passengers, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority. The aircraft later departed Islamabad with 272 passengers. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. A ceremony marking the launch was held at Islamabad International Airport, attended by Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malki, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan, and Vincent Coste, Riyadh Air's Chief Commercial Officer, alongside Pakistani aviation and government officials. The new service will operate once daily between Riyadh and Islamabad, giving passengers seven flights a week between the two capitals. Riyadh Air will operate the route on two schedules. Flight RX0659 will depart Riyadh at 1.45pm on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while RX0661 will leave at 8.10pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. SPONSORED LINKS BY PROJECT AGORA The carrier will expand its Pakistan network further from August 18, when it begins flights between Riyadh and Lahore. That route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Both routes will be served by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The Islamabad launch comes as air travel between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan remains particularly significant because of the large Pakistani community living and working in the kingdom, as well as demand from families, business travellers and religious pilgrims. More than two million Pakistanis live in Saudi Arabia, working across sectors including healthcare, technology, finance and construction. The airline said the new services were intended not only to strengthen direct travel between the two countries but also to connect Pakistani passengers through Riyadh to its growing international network. Saudi Arabia's ambassador said the launch would further strengthen longstanding relations and air connectivity between the two countries. Pakistan Airports Authority described the start of operations as an important milestone for bilateral aviation ties and said the additional flights would help facilitate passenger movement and greater co-operation in the aviation sector. Riyadh Air, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, is developing its network as part of plans to connect the Saudi capital with more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade. The launch also coincided with Pakistan's 79th Independence Day, adding a symbolic element to the airline's first arrival in the country. Also In This Package Huda Ata Special to Gulf News Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE. Related Topics: Get updates on Topics you choose. YOU MAY LIKE

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Riyadh Air and TravelSky sign distribution Agreement to boost saudi-china connectivity. Riyadh Air and China's TravelSky Technology have formalized a Distribution Cooperation Agreement in Beijing, a move that advances the Saudi carrier's push into the Chinese market and aims to boost air links between the two nations. The pact covers collaboration across omni-channel distribution, contemporary airline retailing, digital innovation, and passenger experience, drawing on TravelSky's aviation technology and travel services infrastructure. This alliance is anticipated to facilitate Riyadh Air's entry into the market while enhancing offerings for Chinese travel agents, industry collaborators, and travelers. It also creates a foundation for both entities to pursue additional opportunities as Riyadh Air broadens its international footprint and solidifies its position in China, which it views as central to its worldwide expansion plans. In the wake of the signing, Riyadh Air, TravelSky, and FLYR are set to initiate system integration and rollout via collaborative task forces and technical sessions. The partners will also investigate expanded cooperation in airline retailing, digital innovation, and passenger experience. Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, highlighted that China ranks among the airline's most critical growth areas. He noted that offering the carrier's NDC content through TravelSky represents a significant achievement in widening distribution across China and underscores a sustained dedication to that market. Coste further explained that Riyadh Air is developing a contemporary distribution framework aligned with its digital-first approach, delivering enhanced value to international partners. He pointed out that the collaboration, underpinned by the airline's proprietary NDC 21.3 Offer and Order Management platform, facilitates a more tailored and streamlined booking process for customers. TravelSky-linked agents can now access customized travel options, handle intricate itineraries with greater ease, and obtain immediate confirmation for ancillary services that were previously challenging to secure. Jiang Bo, Chairman of TravelSky, characterized Riyadh Air as an innovative, digitally oriented airline whose vision closely matches TravelSky's, expressing enthusiasm for the new partnership. He reiterated TravelSky's dedication to autonomous technological progress while pursuing its international agenda through the upcoming Overseas Open Service Delivery (OOSD)-based Passenger Service System (PSS) for the global aviation sector. Jiang Bo voiced intentions to collaborate closely with Riyadh Air on precision marketing, revenue enhancement, integrated travel solutions, intelligent connectivity, and improved passenger experiences. He also conveyed a shared ambition to influence the future of airline retailing and distribution, set fresh industry benchmarks, and foster a vibrant digital aviation ecosystem. Air transport, passengers carried - Saudi Arabia