Riyadh Air has officially entered the Indian market, opening ticket sales for daily flights between Mumbai and Riyadh. Starting 4 August 2026, the carrier will operate Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) with King Khalid International Airport (RUH). This marks the airline's first destination in India and expands its international network to nine cities.
Strategic Entry into a High-Growth Market
India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, driven by rising middle-class incomes, expanding international travel, and strong business and expatriate links with the Gulf. For Saudi Arabia, India represents a strategically vital market, supporting millions of passenger journeys annually across business travel, tourism, religious travel, and one of the world's largest expatriate communities. The new Mumbai service is expected to strengthen connectivity between the two countries while giving travellers easier access to Riyadh and onward destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas commented, "India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and a natural addition to our expanding network. The Mumbai route aligns with our ambition to become a global carrier while contributing to Vision 2030 by strengthening connectivity between Saudi Arabia and key international markets."
Boosting Riyadh's Hub Ambitions
Passengers travelling from Mumbai will be able to connect through Riyadh to destinations including London, Madrid, Jeddah, and Cairo, supporting Saudi Arabia's ambition to establish Riyadh as one of the region's leading international aviation hubs. The new service also complements the Kingdom's wider aviation strategy, which aims to connect Saudi Arabia with more than 250 destinations worldwide and handle 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
The launch follows Riyadh Air's recent expansion into other key markets, including daily Dubai-Riyadh flights. As the carrier continues to build its network, India becomes another important milestone in positioning Saudi Arabia at the centre of global air travel.
For travel professionals, the Mumbai route opens new opportunities for corporate travel, leisure packages, and religious tourism, particularly for Hajj and Umrah. The daily frequency and Dreamliner configuration offer premium cabin options that appeal to business travellers and high-net-worth individuals.
Riyadh Air's entry into India also intensifies competition on Gulf-India routes, where carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have long dominated. The airline's focus on connecting through Riyadh rather than Dubai or Doha could shift traffic flows, especially for passengers heading to Europe and North America.
Industry observers will watch how Riyadh Air differentiates its product and pricing in a market where Indian carriers like Air India are also expanding their international networks. The airline's integration with Saudi Arabia's broader tourism push, including new visa policies and mega-projects, could give it an edge in attracting both business and leisure travellers.
As Riyadh Air continues its rapid growth, the Mumbai route serves as a test case for further Indian expansion. With strong demand expected, additional cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad could follow, deepening the carrier's footprint in one of aviation's most dynamic markets.
