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Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20. Affected passengers are being offered full refunds
Air India has extended the cancellation of flights to and from three major Saudi Arabian cities until October 20 as security concerns continue to disrupt air travel in the region.
In a travel advisory issued on Friday the airline said all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah would remain cancelled until the revised date. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh also confirmed the suspension in a post on X.
The airline said it was closely monitoring developments and continuously assessing the situation to determine when operations could safely resume.
“Safety and security of our passengers and crew remain the highest priority,” Air India said.
Passengers affected by the cancellations are being offered a full refund, the airline added.
Why has Air India cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia?
The cancellations come amid escalating security concerns following attacks on Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
According to Reuters, a series of missile and drone attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport forced authorities to suspend operations at the airport until at least October 17. The attacks have prompted airlines across several countries to cancel or suspend services to Saudi Arabia.
More from BusinessThe disruption has extended beyond Riyadh, with airlines reviewing operations to other Saudi cities as concerns over aviation safety persist. The situation has also raised questions about when normal flight schedules can resume.
Air India has not specified the individual incidents behind its latest decision, saying only that the cancellations were prompted by the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia.
Which Air India flights are affected?
The suspension covers all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20, 2026.
Passengers booked on services connecting with these cities during the suspension period should check their flight status directly with the airline before travelling to the airport. The October 20 date is the current announced end date for the cancellations and does not guarantee that services will resume immediately if the security situation remains uncertain.
Air India said it was continuously assessing developments before resuming operations.
Will passengers get a refund?
Yes. Air India has said passengers affected by the cancellations are being offered a full refund.
Travellers should contact Air India or the travel agent through which they booked their tickets to confirm the refund process and any applicable arrangements for their booking.
Passengers with onward connections or return journeys should also check whether the disruption affects other sectors of their itinerary before making alternative travel arrangements.
Are other Indian airlines affected?
Air India is not the only Indian carrier to have extended its flight suspensions amid the regional disruption.
IndiGo has extended cancellations on services covering Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 24, according to Gulf News. Air India Express and Akasa Air have also adjusted services on certain Saudi routes.
The suspension dates and affected destinations differ between airlines, making it important for passengers to verify the status of their specific flights rather than assume that all services are operating under the same restrictions.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has separately advised Indian nationals to follow instructions issued by local authorities and remain indoors in the event of an aerial attack. It has also warned travellers, including those planning to undertake Umrah, to prepare for possible flight disruptions at short notice.
