Pakistan, Aug. 16 -- Saudi carrier Riyadh Air officially commenced its Pakistan operations with the arrival of an inaugural flight, RX-660, in Islamabad from Riyadh, the Pakistan Airports Authority said on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia is home to more than two million Pakistanis, making Pakistan one of the Kingdom's largest aviation markets. The new routes are expected to cater to strong demand for travel by workers, businesses, families and religious pilgrims while supporting Riyadh's ambitions to become a major international aviation hub under Saudi Vision 2030.

The inaugural flight arrived at Islamabad International Airport on Friday evening with 69 passengers, according to the PAA. An inauguration ceremony was subsequently held at the airp...