Flydubai Revolutionizes Travel Between Dubai and Riyadh with Major Move to State-of-the-Art Terminal 5, Enhancing Passenger Experience and Business Efficiency Starting February 2026

Published on February 15, 2026

Starting February 2026, Flydubai will significantly enhance the travel experience between Dubai and Riyadh by relocating all its flights to the newly inaugurated Terminal 5 at King Khalid International Airport. This move is set to revolutionize how passengers, especially business travelers, navigate their journeys with state-of-the-art facilities designed to streamline airport processes. The terminal’s cutting-edge features, including biometric e-gates, self-service kiosks, and dedicated piers for narrow-body aircraft, promise to reduce waiting times and boost efficiency. By aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to position Riyadh as a key regional hub, Flydubai is not only improving the passenger experience but also accelerating business efficiency through faster connections and priority services, ensuring a seamless and upgraded travel journey for all.

Flydubai Announces Relocation of Riyadh Flights to New Terminal 5: What Travelers Need to Know

Flydubai has announced that starting from 25 February 2026, all its services between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh will transition from Terminal 3 to the newly inaugurated Terminal 5. This operational shift marks a significant change for passengers flying between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially those traveling on Flydubai flights.

New Terminal Features and Strategic Importance

Terminal 5 is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually and is a key element in Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 plans to boost the country’s aviation sector. The state-of-the-art terminal includes 30 self-service kiosks, biometric e-gates, and a dedicated pier for narrow-body aircraft. These upgrades aim to streamline the passenger experience, especially for those connecting to Saudia and other partner airlines, ensuring smoother and faster connections for business travelers.

The terminal’s opening will significantly reduce the time spent in transfer queues between landside and airside, enhancing the overall efficiency of the airport. The relocation of Flydubai flights is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to triple its passenger throughput and establish Riyadh as a central regional hub for international and domestic air travel.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

Flydubai’s last flight from Terminal 3 will be FZ 843/844 on the morning of 25 February 2026. From that point on, the airline’s services will shift to Terminal 5, with FZ 849/850 marking the first flight from the new terminal. Passengers traveling on these flights will experience a more modern, efficient terminal with upgraded amenities.

However, travelers should be prepared for possible teething issues as the new terminal begins operations. Flydubai advises that business and leisure travelers confirm their flight bookings and ensure they direct their ground transportation to the correct terminal. The transition provides a ten-day window for companies to update their duty-of-care tracking systems and transport policies for employees flying between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The Benefits for Business Travelers

Business travelers will benefit from faster minimum connection times and priority immigration lanes in Terminal 5. This facility will accommodate business-class and premium-economy passengers with priority access through biometric e-gates, enhancing the travel experience for corporate mobility teams. The ease of transition between flights, especially with UAE residents, should make the commute between Dubai and Riyadh more efficient.

Travel Documentation and Preparation

Companies that have employees traveling regularly between the UAE and Saudi Arabia should ensure that their travel policies reflect the new changes. Since VisaHQ is offering door-to-door processing for Saudi and Emirati travel documents, mobility managers can easily track the status of multiple applications through the platform. This service will help corporate teams stay compliant with the updated visa requirements and ensure that employees can transition smoothly between the two countries.

Relocation Planning for Corporate Mobility Teams

Corporate mobility teams should adjust their travel and transport policies ahead of the terminal shift. Flydubai suggests double-checking booking confirmations and ensuring that drivers are directed to the correct terminal. Staff should also allow for potential delays as the airport staff adapts to the new terminal’s systems. Companies are encouraged to brief employees well in advance of the operational shift to ensure there are no disruptions to travel schedules.

Preparing for Transition and Teething Problems

Organizations with employees traveling to Riyadh towards the end of February 2026 should consider adding extra time to itineraries for potential airport teething issues as Terminal 5 becomes fully operational. These issues are common in the early stages of opening new infrastructure, and extra padding in travel time will help minimize stress for travelers.

Key Takeaways for Passengers

• Flydubai’s services will be relocated to Terminal 5 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh from 25 February 2026.
• Passengers should confirm flight details and ensure transportation is directed to the correct terminal.
• Business travelers will benefit from faster connections, priority lanes, and self-service kiosks for an enhanced travel experience.
• Companies should update travel policies and ensure that VisaHQ handles the necessary travel documentation.
• Travelers should account for potential delays during the initial operational phase of Terminal 5.

This strategic shift underscores the growing importance of Riyadh as a regional hub and will undoubtedly help streamline operations for travelers and businesses alike, especially those working across UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Starting in February 2026, Flydubai will move its flights to the cutting-edge Terminal 5 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, revolutionizing travel with faster connections, biometric e-gates, and enhanced services, making travel more efficient for both passengers and business travelers.

Countries Affected:

• UAE: Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Flydubai’s home base.
• Saudi Arabia: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Relocation to Terminal 5.

By preparing in advance and keeping updated on this significant change, travelers will have a smoother, more efficient experience as Flydubai transitions its operations to a new chapter in its Saudi Arabia service.