ISLAMABAD: Riyadh Air said on Wednesday it had opened bookings for its inaugural Pakistan flights ahead of the Saudi carrier’s launch of services to Islamabad and Lahore later this month.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than two million Pakistanis, making Pakistan one of the Kingdom’s largest aviation markets. The new routes are expected to cater to strong demand for travel by workers, businesses, families and religious pilgrims while supporting Riyadh’s ambitions to become a major international aviation hub under Saudi Vision 2030.
The airline, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is the Kingdom’s new national carrier and plans to connect Riyadh with more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade.
Bookings are now open for flights to Islamabad beginning Aug. 14 and to Lahore from Aug. 18, Riyadh Air said in a statement:
“This dual launch establishes vital new connections that directly support the deep cultural and economic ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
The airline said it would operate daily flights between Riyadh and Islamabad and three weekly flights between Riyadh and Lahore using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Riyadh Air said the Pakistan services had been scheduled to provide convenient onward connections through Riyadh to destinations across Europe and the Middle East, serving both business and leisure travelers as well as the large Pakistani expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest economic partners and one of the largest sources of workers’ remittances, while air travel between the two countries is among the busiest in the region. Riyadh Air’s entry into the market is expected to add capacity on routes already served by Saudi and Pakistani carriers.
