Indian airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia until October 17 after Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport closed. This decision is in view of the attacks that have happened in Saudi Arabia recently. Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air are among the carriers that have halted services as authorities assess the evolving security situation in the Gulf country.
According to an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have cancelled flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, while IndiGo has also suspended operations in Medina. Akasa Air has cancelled flights to Riyadh and Jeddah until the same date. The suspension will affect both arrivals and departures.
Attack At Riyadh Airport Raises Safety Concerns
The cancellations follow an attack that happened at the Riyadh airport on October 10 that killed Indian national Mohammed Yousef Ali and injured 11 other Indians, the embassy said. According to the Indian Embassy, four of those injured are in intensive care, four are receiving treatment in hospital wards, and three have been discharged. The incident has heightened concerns over aviation safety in the region and prompted airlines to reassess their operations.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulator has suspended flight operations at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until October 17 to allow safety checks and ensure the facility’s operational readiness. The closure has also triggered wider disruptions, with several international airlines also cancelling or altering services to Saudi destinations.
International Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions
Emirates reportedly cancelled multiple flights to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah on October 12 and 13. Etihad Airways suspended flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh through October 19, alongside services to Jeddah and Dammam through October 14. Flydubai has also reported cancellations affecting Riyadh, Dammam and Abha, while Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam.
European carriers have also announced restrictions. Lufthansa Group has cancelled flights to Riyadh through October 16, while Air France-KLM has extended its suspension of services to the Saudi capital until the end of October. The varying timelines mean that travellers should check individual airline advisories rather than assume all routes will resume on October 17.
What Travellers Should Know
Passengers booked on affected routes should verify their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport. IndiGo has advised customers to check for updates and said notifications are being sent to the contact details provided at booking. Air India has offered full refunds to passengers who cancel affected bookings. Travellers should contact their respective carriers to confirm available refund, rescheduling and rebooking options, as these may differ by airline and itinerary. Those with onward connections through Saudi Arabia should also check whether changes to their first flight affect the remainder of their journey.
The embassy advised Indian nationals required to leave Saudi Arabia because of any emergency to consider flights from neighbouring countries like Qatar and Bahrain, after having obtained the required visas. According to reports, Saudi authorities would allow visitors, tourists, Umrah pilgrims and business travellers who overstayed their visas because flights were unavailable to leave without paying fines.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah continue to operate, while the embassy has also established a 24-hour control room to assist Indian nationals. Travellers already in Saudi Arabia should follow official advisories and instructions from local authorities as the situation develops. With airport operations suspended and airlines reviewing their schedules, October 17 remains the stated date for several of the current flight suspensions. However, it is not guaranteed that every affected service will resume immediately. Passengers should rely on confirmed updates from airlines and aviation authorities before making alternative travel arrangements.
FAQs
1. Why have Indian airlines suspended flights to Saudi Arabia?
Indian airlines have suspended flights following the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after a deadly attack on October 10.
2. Until when are flights to Saudi Arabia suspended?
Several Indian airlines have suspended services to Saudi Arabian cities until October 17, 2026. Passengers should check with their respective airlines for the latest updates.
3. Which Indian airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia?
Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air are among the carriers that have suspended services to affected Saudi Arabian cities.
4. Which Saudi Arabian cities are affected by the flight cancellations?
The suspensions affect flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. IndiGo has also suspended services to Medina.
5. What should passengers do if their flight to Saudi Arabia is cancelled?
Passengers should check their flight status with the airline and contact the carrier to confirm refund, rescheduling or rebooking options before travelling to the airport.
