Indian carriers halt flights to Saudi cities until Oct 17 over security threats

Indian airlines have suspended all flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 17 October after a series of attacks in Saudi Arabia, including at Riyadh airport. IndiGo posted on X on Tuesday, 13 October, saying flights to and from those cities are cancelled until the 17th. Air India Express issued a statement that it has cancelled flights to Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh and will offer complimentary rescheduling or a full refund to affected passengers. Air India also announced a full refund option and said it is closely monitoring the situation to resume safe operations. Akasa Air said it is extending the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah, citing the escalating security situation in West Asia and the need to protect passengers and crew. The airlines said they are continuously assessing developments in real time and will act when conditions improve. Last week the carriers temporarily halted services to Riyadh after attacks that were reportedly carried out by Iran‑backed Houthi militants using armed drones and missiles. The hostilities between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia have intensified, prompting the airlines to prioritize safety over schedules. All affected travellers are being offered refunds or the option to re‑book without extra charge.

Context

The cancellations follow a common industry practice of suspending routes when regional conflicts threaten airport operations, and they underline how airlines react swiftly to protect passengers when security cannot be guaranteed.