The service will run three times a week — from early July through the end of September — operating on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Airbus A320neo aircraft.

The announcement was made by François Bérisot, CEO of Budapest Airport, at a press conference following the arrival of the inaugural flight.

According to Bérisot, the Riyadh route represents the fourth new intercontinental connection added to Budapest Airport’s network this year, following recently introduced flights to Philadelphia, Toronto, and Seoul.

He noted that the new service strengthens links between Central Europe and the Middle East, with potential implications for tourism, trade, and investment.

The connection also opens up wider travel options, as passengers can transfer in Riyadh to reach other parts of Saudi Arabia, as well as destinations in India, Ethiopia, and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Hungary, Majid bin Abdulaziz Al-Abdan, described the launch as an important step in the evolving relationship between the two countries.

He pointed to Hungary’s strategic location, competitive economy, and business environment as factors that could support deeper economic cooperation.

The new route, he said, may make it easier for Hungarian companies to access Gulf markets, while also enabling Saudi investors to expand their presence in Hungary and across Europe.

From the airline’s perspective, the route is part of a broader effort to expand connectivity. Sultan Al-Khaldi, Sales Director at flynas, highlighted that passengers traveling via Riyadh can connect to several Saudi cities, including Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam, as well as onward international destinations.

He also noted that the airline currently operates a fleet of 74 aircraft, with plans to grow this to around 260 by 2030, including both Airbus A320neo and A330neo models.

Al-Khaldi expressed appreciation for the cooperation of Budapest Airport and its partners, adding that the airline expects strong demand in both directions.

In addition to passenger travel, the new route may also contribute to the development of cargo transport between the two regions.

During the initial seasonal period, which runs until the end of September, flynas plans to offer approximately 15,000 seats on the Budapest–Riyadh route.

The direct flight reduces travel time to around four and a half hours. Preparations for launching the service began at the end of 2024.

Within Central Europe, flynas already operates direct flights to Vienna, Prague, and Kraków, with Budapest now joining this growing network.

Photo: Budflyer

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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