Mumbai

Saudi Arabia's newest premium airline, Riyadh Air, on Monday announced its entry into the Indian market with the launch of a daily non-stop service between Mumbai and Riyadh from August 4.

The airline, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), said ticket bookings for the route will commence on July 6.

The daily service will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring a four-class cabin configuration comprising Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

With the addition of Mumbai, Riyadh Air's network now covers nine destinations, with more international routes expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks, the airline said. The expansion is part of its broader strategy to strengthen Saudi Arabia's connectivity with key global and regional markets.

Riyadh Air Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said India is among the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, making it an important destination for the airline.

"We are pleased to introduce a premium travel option for passengers flying between Mumbai and Riyadh while also enhancing connectivity from India to Europe through our growing network," Douglas said.

Established in March 2023, Riyadh Air plans to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.

According to the airline, the Mumbai-Riyadh service will provide seamless onward connections to destinations across Europe and the Middle East, targeting both business and leisure travellers.

The route is also expected to cater to the large Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia while offering passengers additional travel options between the two countries.

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Passengers travelling from Mumbai will be able to connect through Riyadh to major international destinations such as London and Madrid, as well as regional cities including Jeddah and Cairo, reinforcing Riyadh's position as an emerging global aviation hub.