Saudia Launches New Route: Why Kozhikode is Key to India Expansion Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia, has announced a significant expansion of its flight network in India. The airline is adding Kozhikode (Calicut) in the state of Kerala as a new scheduled destination. This move is part of the ongoing Saudia flight network expansion strategy.

Operations are scheduled to begin on February 1, 2026. The new service will feature four weekly flights from the capital’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. This route is expected to support strong passenger demand in the corridor. Bookings are now available through the airline’s official channels.

Strategic Network Growth

Kozhikode becomes the seventh city in India served by the carrier. It joins existing destinations: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow. This addition strengthens the airline’s presence in one of its most important international markets. Aviation industry observers note that this is a service resumption, as Saudia previously flew to Kozhikode before suspending the route in 2021.

Supporting Religious and Business Travel

The new Riyadh to Kozhikode flights are strategically timed. They aim to capture strong demand from leisure travelers and business passengers. Crucially, the route will serve religious pilgrims, particularly during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Kozhikode is a key link for the large Kerala diaspora residing in Saudi Arabia.

The expansion aligns with the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan. This national strategy aims to diversify the economy and position Saudi Arabia as a global tourism hub. The airline is actively working to connect the world to the Kingdom. It is optimizing the utilization of its modern fleet to strengthen global competitiveness.

India-Saudi Arabia Air Travel Market

The India-Saudi Arabia air travel corridor is a high-growth market. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Saudi Arabia is the third-largest international destination from India. This market accounted for nearly 3.4 million arriving passengers in 2024. This significant volume is driven by both commercial and religious travel flows.

Saudia currently operates 58 weekly flights between India and Saudi Arabia. The airline is increasing its flight frequencies between the two nations. This supports the goal of attracting 7.5 million Indian visitors annually by 2030.

Fleet and Future Outlook

To support its global expansion, the Saudia Group is modernizing its fleet. The group recently signed a deal with Airbus for 105 A320neo and A321neo aircraft. This investment in next-generation aircraft will enhance operational efficiency and capacity. The new Saudia adds Kozhikode service reinforces the airline's focus on the South Asian market. It demonstrates the growing importance of direct international air connectivity for regional hubs like Kozhikode. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.