Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal announced Tuesday plans to launch scheduled flights to Pakistan’s commercial capital, Karachi, starting February 2, 2025. According to an airline statement, this marks the start of a major international expansion drive by the budget carrier and heralds the airline’s first scheduled service to Pakistan and South Asia.
Starting February 2, Karachi will be served twice weekly by the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the commercial hub of Jeddah. According to CEO Steven Greenway, more cities are in the pipeline.
“I would like to applaud the Pakistani authorities and our planning team for working diligently to bring a new market into flyadeal’s family of year-round destinations, with more cities in Pakistan in the pipeline,” Greenway added.
He said, “Building on the strong cultural and historical links between the Kingdom and Pakistan, and acknowledging the demand for air travel given the commercial, pilgrim and family ties of both countries, it was just a matter of time before flyadeal opened its newest air corridor.”
“Having successfully operated Hajj charters to Pakistan this year, the two new Karachi routes also mark our entry into South Asia for the first time with scheduled services,” he said.
Travellers can now book their tickets to Pakistan on official airline channels.
Plans for international growth
The CEO said international growth will now be a focus point for the airline as more aircraft join its fleet. Moreover, several destinations in South Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa are due to be inducted into flyadeal’s network over the next 12 months.
Its growing international footprint supports the nation’s Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to attract over 150 million domestic and international tourists annually within six years.
flyadeal currently operates almost 30 domestic and international year-round and seasonal destinations in the Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, and North Africa from its three main bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the eastern province capital of Dammam.
In just 5 weeks, beginning January 1, flyadeal will expand its Dammam operations by launching domestic flights to Najran, Tabuk and Yanbu. In addition, January 1 also marks the launch of flyadeal services from Riyadh and Jeddah to the Jordanian capital, Amman.
