Blab Business
Flyadeal Launches Daily Riyadh-Hyderabad Flights, Marking First Saudi Low-Cost Carrier Route to India
Flyadeal’s inaugural flight to India landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad on July 1 2026, launching the Saudi low‑cost carrier’s first scheduled, daily non‑stop service to an Indian city. The Riyadh‑Hyderabad corridor marks the first time a Saudi low‑fare airline has committed to a regular route to India.
The new service will operate seven times a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. Passengers depart Riyadh at 23:20 local time, arriving in Hyderabad at 06:50 the following day. The return flight leaves Hyderabad at 07:55 and reaches Riyadh at 11:05. The five‑hour journey offers a convenient link for business and leisure travelers seeking a direct connection between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.
Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier Saudia, has long served Indian cities on a seasonal basis. The Hyderabad route is its first permanent scheduled service to India, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda to broaden international connectivity and attract foreign investment.
RGIA, operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), has evolved into a major hub with 76 domestic and 24 international destinations. The airport handled more than 29 million passengers in the 2024‑25 period and is expanding to a 47 million‑passenger capacity by FY31, including a new runway and additional terminal space. Flyadeal’s entry is expected to reinforce the airport’s role as a key gateway between India and the Middle East.
The new link benefits a wide range of stakeholders. Business travelers and Gulf expatriates now have a direct, low‑fare option to Hyderabad, a growing IT and manufacturing hub. Tourism is also poised to benefit, as visitors can explore Hyderabad’s cultural attractions and the broader Telangana region. Trade ties between Saudi Arabia and India are anticipated to strengthen, supporting Saudi diversification efforts.
The inaugural flight was attended by senior officials from both sides. GMR CEO Kadhir Kadhiravan welcomed the carrier, saying, “We are delighted to welcome flyadeal to Hyderabad, marking their debut entry into the Indian market. This new connection to Riyadh is another addition as our airline partner and significantly enhances our Middle East network reflecting Hyderabad airport’s growing importance as a global aviation hub.” Flyadeal’s Chief Commercial Officer Loydjoe Misquitta and Head of Airport Operations Abdulrahman Alrasheed also spoke at the ceremony.
Operationally, the flights will use the Airbus A320 family, well suited for the five‑hour corridor. The schedule is designed to provide convenient departure and arrival times for passengers connecting to flyadeal’s domestic network within Saudi Arabia, which includes cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh’s suburbs. The airline’s low‑fare model is expected to attract price‑sensitive travelers and boost passenger volumes on the route.
The Hyderabad‑Riyadh service is part of a broader strategy that could see flyadeal add other Indian cities in the coming months. The airline has already announced plans to launch flights to Mumbai and other hubs in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Hyderabad airport is preparing for an arrival fee change set to take effect on September 1 2026, as part of a revised fee proposal submitted to the aviation regulator.
As of the launch date, flyadeal’s Riyadh‑Hyderabad route is operational and the airline has begun collecting fares. The service will be monitored by both the Saudi civil aviation authority and the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation. No regulatory approvals are reported as pending, and the route is expected to operate without interruption until the end of the fiscal year. Stakeholders will watch the route’s performance as a barometer for future expansion into the Indian market.
The new service will operate seven times a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. Passengers depart Riyadh at 23:20 local time, arriving in Hyderabad at 06:50 the following day. The return flight leaves Hyderabad at 07:55 and reaches Riyadh at 11:05. The five‑hour journey offers a convenient link for business and leisure travelers seeking a direct connection between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.
Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier Saudia, has long served Indian cities on a seasonal basis. The Hyderabad route is its first permanent scheduled service to India, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda to broaden international connectivity and attract foreign investment.
RGIA, operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), has evolved into a major hub with 76 domestic and 24 international destinations. The airport handled more than 29 million passengers in the 2024‑25 period and is expanding to a 47 million‑passenger capacity by FY31, including a new runway and additional terminal space. Flyadeal’s entry is expected to reinforce the airport’s role as a key gateway between India and the Middle East.
The new link benefits a wide range of stakeholders. Business travelers and Gulf expatriates now have a direct, low‑fare option to Hyderabad, a growing IT and manufacturing hub. Tourism is also poised to benefit, as visitors can explore Hyderabad’s cultural attractions and the broader Telangana region. Trade ties between Saudi Arabia and India are anticipated to strengthen, supporting Saudi diversification efforts.
The inaugural flight was attended by senior officials from both sides. GMR CEO Kadhir Kadhiravan welcomed the carrier, saying, “We are delighted to welcome flyadeal to Hyderabad, marking their debut entry into the Indian market. This new connection to Riyadh is another addition as our airline partner and significantly enhances our Middle East network reflecting Hyderabad airport’s growing importance as a global aviation hub.” Flyadeal’s Chief Commercial Officer Loydjoe Misquitta and Head of Airport Operations Abdulrahman Alrasheed also spoke at the ceremony.
Operationally, the flights will use the Airbus A320 family, well suited for the five‑hour corridor. The schedule is designed to provide convenient departure and arrival times for passengers connecting to flyadeal’s domestic network within Saudi Arabia, which includes cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh’s suburbs. The airline’s low‑fare model is expected to attract price‑sensitive travelers and boost passenger volumes on the route.
The Hyderabad‑Riyadh service is part of a broader strategy that could see flyadeal add other Indian cities in the coming months. The airline has already announced plans to launch flights to Mumbai and other hubs in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Hyderabad airport is preparing for an arrival fee change set to take effect on September 1 2026, as part of a revised fee proposal submitted to the aviation regulator.
As of the launch date, flyadeal’s Riyadh‑Hyderabad route is operational and the airline has begun collecting fares. The service will be monitored by both the Saudi civil aviation authority and the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation. No regulatory approvals are reported as pending, and the route is expected to operate without interruption until the end of the fiscal year. Stakeholders will watch the route’s performance as a barometer for future expansion into the Indian market.
