Riyadh Air expands international network with new Pakistan routes

Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, is rapidly expanding its international network as part of the nation’s Vision 2030 economic diversification goals. The airline has already established or announced 14 routes, with plans to reach 100 destinations by 2030 to support the target of 300 million annual air passengers.

Recent expansions include new services to Pakistan. The airline launched daily flights between Riyadh and Islamabad, with additional services to Lahore scheduled to begin in mid-August 2026. These routes aim to connect the large Pakistani expatriate community in Saudi Arabia and facilitate religious pilgrimage.

The carrier is building a significant fleet, with firm orders and purchase rights for 182 aircraft. The order book includes Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 models, as well as Airbus A321neo and A350-1000 aircraft. The airline is positioning itself to compete globally by emphasizing sixth freedom traffic and high-capacity connectivity.