Riyadh Air Launches Direct Daily Mumbai Service, its Eighth Global Destination | aviationbizz.com
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, today celebrated the arrival of its inaugural flight in Mumbai, marking the airline’s entry into the Indian market, and marking its eighth official operating destination within eight weeks of the airlines start of operation on June 10th, 2026.
Flight RX0697 operated from Riyadh to Mumbai, followed by the return service to Riyadh on RX0698. The daily service is operated by Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, designed to offer guests the ultimate comfort and premium seating, advanced in-flight entertainment and signature Saudi hospitality. The inaugural flight departed King Khalid International Airport (RUH) at 14:05 and touched down at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) at 20:35, marking another milestone in the airline’s expanding global network.
The new route connects two major commercial centers and responds to strong demand for travel between Saudi Arabia and India. According to OAG’s July 2026 data, Saudi Arabia is India’s second-largest international market by scheduled capacity, with approximately 308,000 seats, representing 4% of all international flights to and from India.
Mumbai Airport welcomed a record 55.5 million passengers in 2025, including 16.3 million international travelers, with the Middle East emerging as its leading international destination region. The new service will support growing business, tourism and cultural links between Saudi Arabia and India while providing greater convenience for guests.
As India’s financial and commercial capital, Mumbai is one of the country’s leading international gateways and is renowned for its dynamic business environment, cultural diversity and thriving entertainment industry. The direct service also provides travelers from India with access to Riyadh’s rapidly developing business, tourism and entertainment and landscape as well as onward travel to the Middle East region and Europe.
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