Mumbai: Saudi Arabia’s newest full-service carrier, Riyadh Air, has launched its first scheduled service to India with the arrival of its inaugural flight from Riyadh to Mumbai on 4 August 2026, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s international expansion and strengthening air cargo connectivity between Saudi Arabia and one of the world’s largest freight markets.
The inaugural flight RXI697, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) after departing King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh earlier in the day. Flight movement data published by Flightradar24 confirms the successful operation of the airline’s maiden India service.
The new daily Mumbai route becomes Riyadh Air’s first destination in India and further expands its growing international network while adding valuable belly-hold cargo capacity for freight moving between Saudi Arabia and India.
India Strengthens Riyadh Air’s Cargo Network
Beyond enhancing passenger connectivity, the Mumbai launch represents an important step in Riyadh Air’s cargo strategy.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deployed on the route offers substantial lower-deck freight capacity, enabling the airline to transport high-value, time-sensitive and general cargo alongside passenger baggage.
India remains one of the Middle East’s most important air cargo markets, with strong demand driven by pharmaceuticals, engineering products, perishables, textiles, electronics and e-commerce shipments. The addition of daily wide-body capacity is expected to provide exporters and freight forwarders with greater flexibility and improved connectivity through Riyadh.
Rapid International Expansion
The India launch follows the induction of Riyadh Air’s first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and forms part of the airline’s accelerated international growth strategy.
Since commencing commercial operations, the carrier has launched services to:
- London Heathrow
- Jeddah
- Dubai
- Cairo
- Málaga
- Madrid
- Manchester
- Kuala Lumpur
- Dhaka
- Mumbai
The airline has also announced future services to Islamabad, Lahore and Manila, further strengthening its presence across South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Wide-Body Fleet to Support Cargo Growth
Riyadh Air recently announced plans to expand its fleet with an additional 34 wide-body aircraft, including new Boeing and Airbus A350 orders unveiled during the Farnborough International Airshow.
The expanded fleet will significantly increase the airline’s belly cargo capacity as it works toward its long-term objective of serving more than 100 destinations by 2030.
The fleet expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambition to establish Riyadh as a leading global aviation and logistics hub under Vision 2030.
Cargo Remains a Core Business Strategy
Cargo continues to play a central role in Riyadh Air’s commercial strategy.
The airline has consistently highlighted its intention to maximise the cargo potential of its Boeing 787 fleet, leveraging passenger operations to build an integrated global freight network supporting international trade flows.
Earlier this year, Riyadh Cargo strengthened its commercial presence by appointing General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) partners across India, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, reinforcing its growing international cargo footprint.
Strengthening Cargo Partnerships
Network expansion has also been supported through strategic partnerships.
Recently, Riyadh Cargo signed an interline agreement with Saudia Cargo, enabling both carriers to offer seamless cargo transfers across their respective networks.
The collaboration is expected to provide freight forwarders and shippers with improved routing options, expanded market access and enhanced cargo connectivity through Saudi Arabia’s aviation network.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Logistics Ambitions
The launch of Mumbai services further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as an emerging logistics gateway connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.
By combining passenger operations with dedicated cargo growth initiatives, Riyadh Air is steadily building a diversified aviation business capable of supporting rising regional trade volumes while contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objective of becoming a leading global logistics hub.
With India now joining its international network, Riyadh Air has taken another significant step towards establishing a strong presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation and air cargo markets.
