IndiGo suspends all Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights until Oct 17

IndiGo has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17 because of the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia. The airline asks passengers to verify their booking status on its website before heading to the airport. IndiGo says it is sending timely updates to the contact details given at booking and that its support teams are ready to help with any queries. It adds that passenger safety is its top priority and that it is working closely with Saudi authorities to resume safe operations.

Reaction

Saudi civil aviation authorities have kept Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport closed through Saturday and have halted operations at the airport to finish safety checks. The closure follows a series of attacks by Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels that have kept the capital’s skies empty. Late Monday the Houthis claimed to have hit the airport with a ballistic missile, hours after Saudi officials reported intercepting a missile aimed at Riyadh.

Context

The Houthi group has been launching missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets since late 2016, targeting oil infrastructure and airports. Such attacks often trigger temporary flight bans as airlines and regulators prioritize passenger safety. IndiGo’s suspension reflects the broader impact of the regional conflict on commercial air travel.