Flyadeal Launches New Routes to Karachi, Expands Network
Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flyadeal is set to extend its network into South Asia with the launch of two new routes to Karachi, Pakistan. This marks a significant expansion for the airline as it establishes its first regular scheduled services to the region. Starting February 2, the Saudia subsidiary will operate two weekly roundtrips from both Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway emphasized the strategic importance of these new routes, citing the deep cultural and historical ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He noted that the demand for air travel between the two countries is strong, driven by commercial, pilgrimage, and family connections. “It was just a matter of time before flyadeal opened its newest air corridor,” Greenway said, hinting at further expansion with more Pakistani cities “in the pipeline.”
This move comes on the heels of Flyadeal’s initiation of Hajj charter flights to Pakistan in 2024, indicating a strengthening of air travel relations between the two nations. Greenway also pointed out the airline’s broader ambitions, stating, “After developing a solid domestic operation across Saudi Arabia over the years, international growth is now our focus during 2025 for what will be an exciting year of expansion as more aircraft join the fleet.”
According to OAG Schedules Analyser, the Karachi routes are currently served by both Flynas and Saudia, Flyadeal’s parent company. Other operators on the route include airblue, AirSial, Pakistan International Airlines, and Serene Air.
Since launching its first international flight from Riyadh to Dubai in July 2021, Flyadeal has expanded its international offerings to include 12 routes. The most recent additions include connections from Jeddah to Sohag, Egypt, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as well as flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Amman, Jordan, which began on January 1, 2025.
The carrier, which currently operates 36 A320 aircraft (11 A320ceo and 25 A320neo), is poised for further growth. Greenway revealed that approximately 18% of Flyadeal’s seat capacity is currently allocated to international routes, with plans to increase this to around 35% by the end of 2025 as part of fleet expansion efforts. The airline also placed a significant order in 2024 for 51 more A320neo-family aircraft and is exploring widebody acquisitions for long-haul expansion.
Speaking at Routes World 2024, Greenway highlighted not only the potential in South Asia but also opportunities within the Middle East and the growing market segments within Saudi Arabia itself. He mentioned the untapped markets in neighboring countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain and the evolving dynamics of Saudi Arabia’s aviation market. He also noted the significant increase in travel by Saudi women and the growth in religious and leisure tourism, spurred by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Flyadeal’s strategic expansion reflects a broader shift in the region’s aviation landscape, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to connecting diverse cultures and supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global travel hub.
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