Indian Airlines Suspend Flights to Saudi Arabia Amid Security Concerns

Flight Suspensions Announced by Indian Airlines

New Delhi, Oct 16: Indian airlines, including Air India and Air India Express, have declared a halt to flights to multiple destinations in Saudi Arabia until October 20, due to the changing security landscape in the area.

Travel advisories shared on the social media platform X indicate that flights to major Saudi cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam will be suspended for different durations, with some airlines also cancelling services to Madinah.

Air India confirmed, “Given the current situation in Saudi Arabia, all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah are cancelled until October 20, 2026.”

The airline assured that passengers impacted by these cancellations would receive a full refund.

“At Air India, the safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priorities,” the airline stated on X.

In a similar vein, Air India Express announced the extension of flight suspensions to and from Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh until October 20.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will review our operations proactively as needed. Our teams are providing all possible support to affected passengers,” Air India Express added, offering complimentary rescheduling or full refunds for cancellations.

On Thursday, IndiGo also revealed the cancellation of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 24, following a thorough evaluation of the circumstances.

Additionally, Akasa Air announced that it has extended its flight suspension to and from Riyadh until October 24 and to Jeddah until October 21.

Passengers affected by these cancellations are eligible for either a full refund or complimentary rescheduling.

Airlines have reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is their primary concern and will continue to assess the situation before resuming services.

Passengers are encouraged to verify flight status updates prior to travel and ensure their contact details are current with the airlines.