Saudi Arabia's low-cost carrier flyadeal has officially entered the Indian aviation market with its inaugural flight from Riyadh to Hyderabad. The inaugural flight from Riyadh landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on July 4, marking the airline's debut in India. The airline will operate a daily Hyderabad-Riyadh-Hyderabad service using Airbus A320 aircraft. The new route operates with convenient departure times: Riyadh to Hyderabad departs at 11:20 pm, arriving at 6:50 am the following day with a duration of 5 hours 30 minutes, while Hyderabad to Riyadh departs at 7:55 am, arriving at 11:05 am with a duration of 5 hours 40 minutes. The inaugural flight was received by GHIAL Chief Executive Officer Kadir Kadhiravan, senior airport officials, flyadeal Chief Commercial Officer Lloyd Miskwitta and Head of Airport Operations Abdulrahman Alrashid.
As reported by The Times of India, GHIAL CEO Kadhir Kadhirvan stated that the launch strengthens Hyderabad Airport's connectivity with the Middle East and reinforces its position as a growing international aviation hub. Flyadeal Acting Chief Commercial Officer Loyd Misquitta emphasized that the launch marks a significant milestone for the airline as it enters one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. "Launching our inaugural service to Hyderabad marks a significant milestone for flyadeal as we commence operations in India, one of the world's most dynamic and fast-growing aviation markets," Misquitta said. The daily direct service is expected to further strengthen air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and India and support passenger demand while fostering stronger trade, tourism and people-to-people ties between the two countries. Misquitta noted that the launch aligns with flyadeal's 'Fly for Less' philosophy and tailored booking bundles such as fly, fly+, and flyMax, offering passengers flexible and customizable travel experiences ranging from baggage and seat selection to enhanced flexibility for changes and cancellations.
According to The Times of India, Hyderabad airport is currently connected to 76 domestic and 24 international destinations. The addition of flyadeal is expected to boost travel demand from business travellers, expatriates and tourists between India and Saudi Arabia. This expansion strengthens Hyderabad's position as a key gateway for Middle Eastern connectivity in the Indian aviation market. The airline has scheduled flights at convenient timings to provide seamless onward connections through its domestic Saudi Arabian network, allowing passengers to travel easily to multiple cities across the Kingdom. The new service is designed to offer convenient and well-timed departures, ensuring a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers. GHIAL stated that the new route would help meet increasing demand from business travellers, non-resident Indians and leisure passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia.
The launch aligns with Hyderabad Airport's long-term vision of enhancing international connectivity, diversifying airline partnerships, and offering passengers greater choice and accessibility. As per Aviation Jeta, this development further strengthens Hyderabad Airport's stature as a growing international aviation hub, connecting to 76 domestic and 24 international destinations. The airline will operate seven flights a week on the Riyadh–Hyderabad–Riyadh route with Airbus A320 aircraft. Flyadeal said it will introduce its low-cost travel model in India with fare options including fly, fly+ and flyMax, enabling passengers to choose services based on their travel requirements. The packages offer options such as checked baggage, seat selection, travel changes and cancellation flexibility. Lloyd Miskwitta said Hyderabad was a natural choice for the airline's entry into India, noting that "India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets" and the route strengthens air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and India while supporting growing demand for business, tourism and cultural exchanges.
