Pakistani expats in Saudi Arabia are getting significantly more options to fly home directly. Two Saudi carriers are launching new Pakistan routes within days of each other, adding direct connections from Riyadh and Dammam to three major Pakistani cities.

flynas, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, is launching a new direct route between Dammam and Karachi starting September 9 2026. At the same time, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, is entering the Pakistan market with two routes beginning this month. Direct flights from Riyadh to Islamabad start August 14, followed by Riyadh to Lahore on August 18.

For the large Pakistani expat community spread across Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province, these new routes mean fewer connecting flights through Dubai or Doha and shorter overall travel times when heading home.

A note on this article: Flight details are based on airline announcements available at the time of writing. Always verify current schedules, availability, and ticket prices directly with flynas at flynas.com or Riyadh Air at riyadhair.com before booking.

flynas: Dammam to Karachi from September 9

flynas will operate three flights per week between King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The route launches on September 9 2026 and is particularly useful for Pakistani expats working in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, which includes major industrial and oil sector employment hubs like Dhahran, Jubail, and Al Khobar.

Previously, travellers from the Eastern Province heading to Karachi typically had to transit through Riyadh or Dubai. A direct Dammam to Karachi connection removes that extra step.

flynas is known for competitive low-cost fares within the region. If past route launches are any guide, early booking windows tend to offer the most affordable prices before fares rise closer to departure.

Riyadh Air: Two New Pakistan Routes This Month

Riyadh Air is launching both its Pakistan routes in August 2026, making it a significant month for Saudi Arabia to Pakistan air connectivity.

Route	Start Date	Frequency	Aircraft	Cabin Classes
Riyadh to Islamabad	August 14 2026	Daily (7 per week)	Boeing 787-9	Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, Economy
Riyadh to Lahore	August 18 2026	3 times per week	Boeing 787-9	Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, Economy

Tickets for both Riyadh Air Pakistan routes are already on sale. The Boeing 787-9 is a wide-body aircraft offering a more comfortable long-haul experience than the narrow-body jets typically used on shorter regional routes. Riyadh Air has positioned itself as a premium carrier, so passengers on these routes can expect a higher quality product than budget alternatives.

The Riyadh to Islamabad service operates daily, making it one of the most frequent direct connections between Saudi Arabia’s capital and Pakistan’s capital. The Lahore service at three times per week is slightly less frequent but still a meaningful addition for Pakistani expats in Riyadh with ties to Punjab.

What This Means for Pakistani Expats in Saudi Arabia

Pakistan is one of the largest source countries for the Saudi expat workforce. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistani nationals work across construction, healthcare, engineering, and domestic sectors throughout the Kingdom. Until now, many of them have relied on connecting flights through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha to reach cities beyond Karachi.

The new routes address this gap in three ways. Pakistani expats in the Eastern Province now have a direct Dammam to Karachi option through flynas. Those in Riyadh gain daily direct access to Islamabad and three-times-weekly access to Lahore through Riyadh Air. Eid holidays, family emergencies, and annual leave trips all become logistically simpler with these additional direct connections.

How to Book

For the flynas Dammam to Karachi route, visit flynas.com or use any major flight booking platform and search for Dammam (DMM) to Karachi (KHI) from September 9 2026 onwards.

For Riyadh Air routes, visit riyadhair.com directly. Tickets for both Pakistan routes are already on sale. Riyadh to Islamabad (ISB) from August 14 and Riyadh to Lahore (LHE) from August 18.

One extra benefit worth knowing: Riyadh Air will also offer connecting flights from Pakistan onward to destinations across Europe and the Middle East through Riyadh. This makes it a useful option for Pakistani expats or travellers needing to connect beyond Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book the flynas Dammam to Karachi flight now?

Yes. flynas typically opens bookings well in advance of launch dates. Visit flynas.com or search on a flight booking platform for Dammam to Karachi departures from September 9 2026 onwards.

Is Riyadh Air a budget or full service airline?

Riyadh Air is positioned as a premium full service carrier. It is not a budget airline. The Boeing 787-9 aircraft used on the Pakistan routes offers a higher comfort level than narrow-body jets typically used on regional routes.

Are there direct flights from Jeddah to Pakistan?

The routes announced here cover Dammam to Karachi (flynas) and Riyadh to Islamabad and Lahore (Riyadh Air). Jeddah to Pakistan routes exist through other carriers including Saudi Airlines. Check saudiairlines.com for current Jeddah to Pakistan schedules.

What airport does flynas use in Dammam?

King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam serves the Eastern Province region including Dhahran, Al Khobar, and Jubail.

Sources:flynas official announcement, Riyadh Air official announcement, August 2026. Additional reporting verified via The Nation Pakistan and AeroRoutes. This article is for informational purposes only. Verify current schedules and availability directly at flynas.com and riyadhair.com before booking.