New Services From Capital Riyadh; Karachi Flights Began In February
Karachi: flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline, has expanded its Pakistan operations with the launch of non-stop scheduled flights from Riyadh to Islamabad, Peshawar and Sialkot.
The new routes from the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were introduced over a three-day period. Cake-cutting celebrations marked each inaugural flight on arrival in the newly added destinations with crew joining airline and airport officials in the festivities.
In addition, an early morning traditional water salute welcomed flight F3 651 to Islamabad with pilots proudly waving both countries’ flags from the cockpit of their Airbus A320 aircraft that marked a new air bridge connecting the capital cities of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, flyadeal Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Rogier van Enk was joined by Muazam Ali, deputy head of mission at the Pakistan Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with airline and airport officials for the departure ceremony.
flyadeal entered the Pakistan market in February with scheduled flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Karachi that signalled the airline’s first move into South Asia. The network additions increase flyadeal’s frequency between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan from six to 13 flights a week. All flights are operated by A320s in a single 186-seat Economy Class configuration.
Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “Just seven months ago we began operations to Pakistan with a pledge to increase capacity and widen our network in a high demand market. From six flights a week, we’re now adding a further seven services into three additional destinations that gives us greater reach to our customers and provide more choice at value for money low fares.
“As we take delivery of more aircraft, it will only be a matter of time before we increase frequency even further to better serve the large Pakistani expatriate community working and living in the Kingdom. And, of course, provide convenient air access for visitors from Pakistan looking to travel to the Kingdom for work, business, leisure and on pilgrimages.”
Farooq Ahmad, flyadeal Head of Sales, added: “Being from Pakistan, this is a moment of great pride for me as flyadeal ramps up travel options with our mix of new routes catering to a diverse customer base. My team and I look forward to meeting travel providers in Pakistan over the next few weeks to promote our expanded network and build on our strong partnerships with the travel trade and corporates.”
flyadeal currently operates a modern fleet of 40 A320s from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to triple its network to over 100 destinations with more than 100 aircraft.
flyadeal’s network in Pakistan:
Islamabad in the country’s north at the foothills of the Himalayas, is Pakistan’s capital and seat of government, recognised as the nation’s most well-planned urban city.
Sialkot in Punjab Province situated in northeast Pakistan, is one of the country’s biggest industrial cities that is home to the production of sports equipment including hockey sticks and cricket gear for international brands. The city is also known for producing surgical instruments and leather goods.
Peshawar, the capital and largest city of Pakistan’s province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is renowned for its rich history, cuisine, traditional bazaars and handicrafts.
Karachi, Pakistan’s port city, is the country’s financial centre, and one of the world’s most populated cities bordering the Arabian Sea.
