Indian Airlines Extend Saudi Arabia Flight Suspensions Due to Security Concerns
TL;DR
- Air India and Air India Express have paused flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until November 14.
- IndiGo has also halted services to Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah through mid-November.
- Akasa Air suspended routes to Jeddah and Riyadh until November 10 and 30, respectively.
- The decision follows recent Houthi-led drone and missile strikes on Saudi infrastructure.
- Affected passengers are eligible for free rescheduling or full refunds.
Major Indian carriers have pushed back the resumption of flights to Saudi Arabia following a series of attacks by Houthi rebels. Air India and Air India Express confirmed that operations to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam will remain suspended until November 14.
Other airlines have also adjusted their schedules in response to the regional instability. IndiGo has cancelled its services to Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until November 14, while Akasa Air has paused flights to Jeddah until November 10 and Riyadh until November 30.
The security situation involves drone and missile strikes directed at Saudi aviation facilities, including the King Khalid International Airport. Reports indicate that coordinated attacks in October resulted in significant casualties.
Travelers holding tickets booked by October 30 for travel through November 14 may cancel for a full refund or reschedule once at no extra cost. Rebooked travel must be completed by November 29, depending on seat availability.
Passengers seeking assistance are advised to contact the airlines' customer service helplines or visit local booking offices.
Why It Matters
The suspension of these air routes impacts the large Indian diaspora residing and working in Saudi Arabia, as well as travelers relying on these connections for transit between India and the Middle East.
Oct 30, 2026 · Updated 10/30/2026, 4:50:03 PM · Reported with: NDTV, India Today
Sources (2)
NRI Bytes writes its own articles from the reporting below.
NDTV — Air India, Air India Express Extend Saudi Flights Suspension Till November 14India Today — Air India, Air India Express suspend Saudi flights till Nov 14 amid Houthi attacksUp next · Travel
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