Flight F3 655 from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport arrived in Pakistan’s second-largest city on October 27 to a traditional water-cannon salute, followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting attended by airport and airline officials, including the crew of the inaugural flight.

According to a press release, the new twice-weekly flights increase flyadeal’s total capacity between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to 18 scheduled services per week across five cities — Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, and now Lahore — all launched in phases since February this year.

Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “It’s been an incredible achievement to build a countrywide operation from one to five cities across Pakistan in just eight months. Entering any market is always a baby step process. But our operational and commercial teams have done an impressive job to plan, launch, expand and set up the necessary infrastructure so quickly to sell, market and promote our flights in a short space of time.”

Flyadeal currently operates a modern fleet of 42 Airbus A320 aircraft from its bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, serving more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and South Asia.

By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to triple its network to over 100 destinations with more than 100 aircraft.