Riyadh Air Eyes Second Indian City as Saudi Carrier Deepens Its India Expansion

Riyadh Air is preparing to expand its presence in India beyond Mumbai, with the Saudi carrier targeting a second Indian destination by the end of 2026 as it builds out its international network and strengthens connectivity between the two countries.

The airline’s plans come shortly after the launch of its first Indian route. Riyadh Air began daily services between Riyadh and Mumbai on August 4, marking its entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. A senior airline executive has now confirmed that a second Indian city is being considered for launch before the end of the year.

The expansion reflects the growing importance of India within Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy. Strong business, tourism, employment and trade links between the two countries have created sustained demand for direct air connectivity, while Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism economy is generating new opportunities for international carriers.

Riyadh Air’s Mumbai service is operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, giving passengers access to the airline’s long-haul product from the outset of its Indian operations. The daily service is also expected to support increased travel between western India and Saudi Arabia, particularly among business travellers and visitors travelling for tourism and religious purposes.

The airline’s India strategy comes as Riyadh Air rapidly expands its wider international network. Its official media hub lists recent launches and planned destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including Madrid, Málaga, Cairo, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. The carrier also launched its first domestic route to Jeddah in June, establishing a broader network around its Riyadh hub.

Fleet expansion is expected to underpin this growth. At the Farnborough Airshow in July, Riyadh Air announced orders for 34 additional widebody aircraft, comprising 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and six Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The airline said the expansion supports its ambition to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.

The carrier’s Boeing commitment includes the larger 787-10 variant, while its additional Airbus order brings its firm A350-1000 commitment to 31 aircraft. The scale of the fleet plan reflects Saudi Arabia’s wider ambition to develop Riyadh into a major international aviation hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

India represents a particularly important market within that strategy. The country has one of the world’s largest aviation passenger bases and continues to see strong growth in international travel. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is investing heavily in tourism infrastructure and airline capacity as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification programme.

Competition on India–Saudi Arabia routes is also increasing. Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal recently announced plans to begin five weekly Riyadh–Mumbai services from October 3, adding more than 7,400 seats per month to the route. The additional capacity highlights the strength of passenger demand between the two markets.

For Riyadh, the expansion has significance beyond passenger traffic. More international routes are expected to support the city’s ambitions as a business and tourism centre while strengthening connections for multinational companies establishing regional operations in Saudi Arabia.

The development is also part of a broader transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. The Kingdom has been investing in airports, airline capacity, tourism infrastructure and logistics as it seeks to position itself as a global travel and trade hub.

Riyadh Air’s rapid network development is therefore closely linked to the country’s wider economic strategy. Increased connectivity can support tourism arrivals, international investment, business travel and the movement of skilled professionals, while providing new links between Saudi Arabia and major global markets.

The airline’s progress also marks a significant change in Riyadh’s competitive position within the Gulf aviation landscape. With established carriers already operating extensive networks from Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, Riyadh Air is attempting to build a new hub centred on the Saudi capital.

As the airline evaluates its next Indian destination, the decision could further reshape air connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. A second city would expand Riyadh Air’s reach into India’s diverse regional passenger market while providing travellers with another direct gateway into the Kingdom.

With its Mumbai service now operational, a rapidly expanding fleet and more international routes entering the network, Riyadh Air is moving into a critical phase of growth. Its planned second Indian destination could become another milestone in the airline’s effort to establish Riyadh as a major global aviation gateway.