Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have extended the suspension of flights to several Saudi Arabian cities amid ongoing security concerns in the region. These cancellations affect flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah, with services paused until late October 2026 to ensure passenger safety.
- Air India flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah are cancelled until October 20, 2026.
- IndiGo has suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 24, 2026.
- Akasa Air has extended cancellations to Riyadh until October 24 and Jeddah until October 21, 2026.
- Passengers affected by cancellations are offered full refunds or free rescheduling options.
- The cancellations follow recent security incidents involving missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Why have flights to Saudi Arabia been cancelled?
The flight cancellations are a response to the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia and the wider West Asia region. Recently, Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting key locations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh airport and a military airbase in Khamis Mushait. These attacks have caused casualties and forced the closure of Riyadh airport, raising safety concerns for air travel in the area.
Which airlines have extended flight cancellations?
Three major Indian airlines—Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air—have extended their flight suspensions to Saudi Arabian cities. Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until October 20, 2026. IndiGo has suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 24, 2026. Akasa Air has extended cancellations to Riyadh until October 24 and Jeddah until October 21, 2026.
What options are available for passengers affected by these cancellations?
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled are being offered full refunds credited to their original payment method within seven days. Alternatively, they can reschedule their travel without any additional charges. Airlines are notifying affected customers through the contact details provided during booking. Those who booked through travel partners are advised to contact their agents directly for assistance.
How are airlines monitoring the situation?
Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air continue to monitor developments closely and assess the situation to determine when it will be safe to resume flights. The airlines have emphasized passenger safety as the priority and are prepared to adjust their operations based on the evolving security environment in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.
What recent security incidents have impacted air travel in Saudi Arabia?
Recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi group have targeted Saudi Arabian infrastructure, including a ballistic missile attack on Riyadh airport and a drone strike on a military airbase in Khamis Mushait. The missile attack on Riyadh airport led to its closure after causing 13 deaths and injuring over 300 people. Another attack on the following day resulted in one death and multiple injuries. These incidents have heightened security concerns and directly influenced the decision to suspend flights.
