Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline, flyadeal, is preparing to begin its first scheduled passenger operations to India with the launch of daily non-stop flights between Riyadh and Hyderabad starting from July 1, 2026. The new route marks a significant milestone for the airline as it expands beyond its existing religious travel operations and enters the regular India-Saudi Arabia passenger market for the first time.
Until now, flyadeal had mainly operated special Hajj and Umrah services connecting pilgrims between Saudi Arabia and India. The launch of scheduled commercial flights reflects the airline’s broader regional expansion strategy and its growing focus on serving international destinations with strong travel demand. Hyderabad has been selected as the carrier’s first destination in India due to its large expatriate population, strong business connections, and steady flow of religious travelers to Saudi Arabia.
The new service will operate daily using modern Airbus A320neo aircraft configured with 186 economy-class seats. Known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, the aircraft will support the airline’s low-cost travel model while offering affordable and convenient connectivity between the two countries.
Industry observers expect the route to attract a large number of travelers, particularly Indian expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia, as well as pilgrims traveling for Umrah and Hajj. The airline is also reportedly planning to announce a second Indian destination in the near future as part of its ongoing expansion plans.
The move further strengthens aviation and economic ties between Saudi Arabia and India at a time when travel demand between the Gulf region and South Asia continues to rise rapidly. It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to boost tourism, improve international connectivity, and expand the Kingdom’s aviation sector through increased airline capacity and new global routes.
