Saudi Arabia’s newest full-service airline, Riyadh Air, has officially entered the Indian market, launching daily flights between Riyadh and Mumbai as its first destination in the country. The airline also plans to add a second Indian city to its network before the end of 2026, strengthening its presence in one of its fastest-growing international markets.
The carrier, which began commercial operations in June after taking delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, sees India as a key market in its long-term expansion strategy. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, Riyadh Air aims to support the Kingdom’s ambition of transforming Riyadh into a leading global aviation hub.
Speaking on the airline’s India plans, Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, said Mumbai marks an important milestone in the airline’s international growth. He noted that India presents significant opportunities due to its strong travel demand and close economic and cultural ties with Saudi Arabia.
Currently operating a fleet of seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Riyadh Air plans to expand its network to around 15 international destinations by the end of this year, increasing to 20–22 destinations by March 2027 and more than 40 destinations by the end of next year. By 2030, the airline intends to serve nearly 100 destinations worldwide, supported by an order book of 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, and future Airbus A350-1000 deliveries.
While the airline has not revealed its next Indian destination, it confirmed that services to a second city will begin before the end of the year. The upcoming Airbus A321neo fleet will enable Riyadh Air to expand into additional Indian markets before upgrading high-demand routes to wide-body aircraft.
Unlike many established Gulf carriers that focus on connecting passengers through large transit hubs, Riyadh Air is initially concentrating on direct travel to and from Riyadh. The airline says this point-to-point strategy is designed to cater to strong origin-and-destination demand while reducing exposure to regional geopolitical disruptions.
To strengthen connectivity across India, Riyadh Air has partnered with Air India, allowing passengers to access domestic destinations beyond Mumbai. The airline also expects cargo to play a significant role in the profitability of its Indian operations, with its aircraft offering temperature-controlled belly-hold capacity for transporting perishables and other specialised freight.
Mumbai was selected as the airline’s first Indian destination due to its high passenger demand and strong cargo traffic between India and Saudi Arabia, making it a strategic gateway for Riyadh Air’s expansion in the region.
