Flyadeal launches Riyadh-Mumbai service as second India route

Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flyadeal started a Riyadh-Mumbai service on 3 October, operating five times a week with Airbus A320neo aircraft. Mumbai becomes the airline's second destination in India, following Hyderabad, which it began serving in July with the same weekly frequency from the Saudi capital.

The A320neos used on the route have 186 seats in an all-economy layout. According to the carrier, passengers can connect onto its domestic network in Saudi Arabia.

India is a strategic priority for Flyadeal's international growth, acting chief executive Sanjiv Kapoor said. He also holds a vice-president strategy role at parent company Saudia Group. Kapoor said the airline is committed to building its presence in India and described the Mumbai launch as an important step.

Flyadeal is looking for a new chief executive after Steven Greenway left the top job. Greenway, who had led the carrier since 2023, took the helm at Australia's Alliance Aviation on 1 October.

The airline began operations in 2017. It currently flies 47 A320-family jets, with A321neos and A330-900neo widebodies due to arrive in 2027. Under Saudi Vision 2030, Flyadeal plans to double both its network and its fleet to 100 destinations and 100 aircraft by the start of the next decade.