ISLAMABAD — Pakistani startup Bookme, the country’s leading cashless e-ticketing platform, is eyeing an annual revenue boost of $20 million from its expansion into Saudi Arabia, following a landmark partnership with the Kingdom’s top delivery app, Mrsool, and a strategic collaboration with budget airline flyadeal.

Founded in 2013, Bookme has rapidly established itself as a dominant player in Pakistan’s travel and entertainment booking industry, offering tickets for buses, trains, flights, cinemas, hotels, and events. With a user base now exceeding 14 million, the platform has become synonymous with digital ticketing in Pakistan.

Bookme formally entered the Saudi market in 2024 through its partnership with Mrsool and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The integration with Mrsool is now complete and expected to go live by the end of July 2025, enabling millions of Saudi users to book flights and hotels directly through the app.

“Bookme expects to generate around $20 million in additional annual revenue from its expansion in Saudi Arabia,” said Faizan Aslam, Founder and CEO of Bookme, in a call with Arab News. “The Mrsool contract alone is worth around $5 million annually, while the flyadeal partnership is valued at approximately $4 million.”

The company’s deal with flyadeal is designed to channel Bookme’s strong Pakistani user base toward the airline’s expanding routes between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Flyadeal has recently launched operations from Karachi, with services from Lahore and Islamabad set to follow soon. “Through this partnership, Bookme can help drive a significant number of new passengers to flyadeal,” Aslam added.

Bookme’s competitive edge lies in its ability to offer fares that are 6–7 percent lower than the market average, with seasonal promotions offering discounts of up to 15 percent. Combined with its digital-first approach and marketing campaigns with the STA, the startup is positioning Saudi Arabia as a prime destination for Pakistani travelers—especially business professionals, families, and leisure passengers.

Aslam revealed that more partnerships are already in the pipeline. While withholding specific names, he confirmed that three contracts have been signed, including two with major Saudi banks, pending approval from the Kingdom’s central bank. Once live, users of these banks will be able to access Bookme’s booking services directly through their mobile banking applications.

Describing the Mrsool partnership as “the first drop of the rain,” Aslam noted that further collaborations with banks and fintech firms will strengthen Bookme’s footprint in the Kingdom.

The startup’s momentum is reinforced by its strong growth trajectory—currently expanding at a 130 percent year-on-year rate. With the Saudi market as a base, Bookme plans to scale aggressively across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and into Africa. “We are trying to sign deals in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar through our Saudi office, with plans to expand into Africa—starting with South Africa and Tanzania,” Aslam said.

To date, Bookme has raised around $10 million in funding, with plans to secure a new round to finance its regional expansion. The strategy reflects Pakistan’s growing startup ambitions to build global tech ventures, using regional hubs like Saudi Arabia as springboards for international growth.

Aslam emphasized that Bookme’s entry into Saudi Arabia marks a turning point. “With the full-scale launch of operations in Saudi Arabia, our growth is expected to accelerate significantly, potentially reaching three to four times the current levels annually,” he said.

For Bookme, the Kingdom is not just a new market but a launchpad for becoming a key regional player in the e-ticketing and travel technology space.