Riyadh Air will begin daily direct flights between Riyadh and Mumbai from August 4, Business Standard reported on July 6, marking the Saudi carrier’s first scheduled service to India.
Bookings for the route opened on July 6 through the airline’s website, app and authorised travel channels. The service will link King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport in Mumbai, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in a four-class configuration comprising business elite, business, premium economy and economy.
Flight RX0697 is scheduled to depart Riyadh at 14:05 and arrive in Mumbai at 20:35, while the return service, RX0698, will leave Mumbai at 22:05 and land in Riyadh at 23:50, with both timings local. Passengers departing Mumbai will be able to connect through Riyadh to onward destinations including London, Madrid, Jeddah and Cairo.
Mumbai becomes the ninth destination on Riyadh Air’s network, with further routes expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The carrier, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, launched operations in March 2023 and has said it aims to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.
“With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, we are delighted to offer travellers a new premium choice and enhanced global connectivity from Mumbai to Riyadh, and onwards to Europe,” said Tony Douglas, chief executive officer of Riyadh Air, Business Standard reported.
The route is aimed at business and leisure travellers as well as expatriate communities travelling between India and Saudi Arabia, the airline said.