West Asia Crisis Explained: Riyadh Missile Attack, Iran Tensions, And Flight Disruptions; Travel Advisory For Indians

The West Asia crisis has entered another volatile phase. A ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement towards Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, was intercepted on September 19, while Saudi Arabia has reported further drone and missile activity targeting parts of the kingdom. The escalation comes against the backdrop of the wider US-Iran conflict that began in February and has since affected shipping, energy supplies and aviation across the region.

For travellers, the picture is uneven rather than uniformly closed. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain operational, Oman is maintaining international services, and several airlines continue to fly to Gulf destinations. At the same time, schedules can change quickly, particularly on routes passing through or near affected airspace.

What Is Happening In West Asia Right Now?

The immediate concern is the widening conflict around Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh was intercepted on September 19. Residents reported explosions and smoke near King Khalid International Airport, although Saudi authorities said there were no casualties or significant damage from the intercepted missile. The Houthis have also claimed attacks on other Saudi locations, including Yanbu, Taif, Baish, and Farasan. Some of those claims have not been independently verified.

The latest escalation is connected to Yemen’s much older conflict, in which the Iran-aligned Houthis control large parts of the country while Saudi Arabia has backed Yemen's internationally recognised government. The conflict has also become closely intertwined with the wider regional confrontation following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026.

The situation has also affected the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. On September 21, only 12 commodity vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the preceding weekend, compared with roughly 125 vessels a day before the conflict. Oil continues to move through the region, but shipping patterns have changed significantly.

Meanwhile, diplomacy has not completely disappeared from the picture. US officials met representatives of the Iran-aligned Houthis in Oman earlier this month, while China has reportedly urged Tehran to help restrain Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Iran and the US have also continued to exchange threats as discussions over the conflict remain unsettled.

The wider West Asia picture remains complicated. Violence has continued in the occupied West Bank, while diplomatic efforts around Gaza and the broader regional conflict continue. This means the current situation cannot be reduced to a single Iran-Israel confrontation: developments in Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Gaza, Lebanon, and the Red Sea are increasingly interconnected.

Are Flights Operating Across West Asia?

Yes, but with caveats. The Gulf’s major aviation hubs are operating, although airlines are adjusting schedules, and some regional routes continue to experience cancellations and delays.

In the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports were operating on September 21, with Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia continuing to operate services. However, delays and cancellations have been reported, and airlines have been adjusting schedules in response to the evolving security environment.

Emirates has continued operating from Dubai and has not announced a network-wide suspension of Gulf services. Its own flight-status system remains the appropriate source for checking individual bookings.

Oman currently has particularly clear signs of normal international connectivity. Muscat International Airport’s live schedule for September 21 listed Oman Air, Air India Express, IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and other carriers operating services. Flights listed include Oman Air services to New Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Lucknow, as well as Air India Express services to New Delhi and Kannur.

Qatar Airways is also continuing to operate. The airline has been rebuilding its network following the severe disruption earlier in the year and has announced further expansion into Saudi Arabia for the winter season. IndiGo has also restored its India-Doha connectivity from May, with more than 60 weekly flights planned from seven Indian cities.

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport experienced significant disruption immediately after the September 19 attack, with delays and cancellations reported following the missile and drone activity near the airport. Operations have since resumed, although travellers should continue checking their individual flight status because the security situation remains fluid.

The disruption can also reach Indian airports. On September 20, around 200 passengers at Delhi airport were affected when Etihad cancelled flight EY217 to Abu Dhabi due to a technical issue. The cancellation was officially attributed to the aircraft issue rather than the Riyadh attack, but it illustrates how quickly individual journeys can be affected during a period of heightened regional uncertainty.

IndiGo is also currently carrying a warning that evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and the Middle East may affect flights and is directing passengers to check their individual flight status before travelling.

Travel Advisory For Indians: What You Should Know

For Indian travellers, the most important distinction is between countries and routes rather than treating the whole of West Asia as one travel zone.

If you are travelling to Iran: The Indian government’s advisory remains particularly important. The Embassy of India in Tehran reiterated on June 8 that Indian nationals should avoid travelling to Iran, while Indians already there were advised to leave using available means of transport. The MEA’s Iran advisory page continues to list these advisories as valid.

For leisure travel, postpone trips to Iran until the security situation and official Indian advisories change.

If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia: The latest Riyadh attacks make it essential to check your specific destination and flight immediately before departure. Saudi Arabia's airports remain operational, but the security situation is fluid, and the country has experienced missile and drone activity linked to the Yemen conflict. Saudi Arabia has also sought additional air-defence support from international partners amid concerns over interceptor supplies.

Travellers heading to Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, or other parts of western and central Saudi Arabia should check both the airline and local authorities shortly before leaving for the airport.

If you are travelling via Dubai or Abu Dhabi: Do not assume that a functioning airport means every flight will operate as scheduled. Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain operational, but airlines are making schedule adjustments, and regional flights can be affected by airspace restrictions.

If you have a connecting itinerary through the UAE, check the status of every sector, including your onward flight. Allow additional time for possible rebooking and avoid tight connections where possible.

Indian nationals in the UAE can also contact the Indian consular authorities for assistance. The Consulate General of India in Dubai maintains 24-hour assistance through the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra.

If you are travelling via Oman or Qatar: Current airport information indicates that Oman remains operational, with multiple India-bound services running from Muscat. Qatar Airways and IndiGo are also operating services through Doha.

Even so, travellers should check their flight on the day of departure because the regional airspace situation can change rapidly.

Things To Remember Before Departing From India

Keep your itinerary flexible and follow these precautions:

• Check the airline’s official flight status immediately before leaving for the airport.

• Check the status of both your India-Gulf flight and onward connection.

• Avoid non-essential travel to areas directly affected by active hostilities.

• Keep your passport, visa, travel insurance, emergency contacts and copies of important documents accessible offline.

• Register with the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate if you are undertaking essential travel in a high-risk location.

• Follow instructions issued by local authorities if an air raid or security alert is activated.

• Do not rely on social-media posts or forwarded WhatsApp messages for information about airport closures or evacuation routes.

• If stranded, contact your airline and the nearest Indian mission rather than attempting an improvised land crossing.

• If travelling with children, elderly passengers or people requiring medication, carry sufficient supplies in your hand baggage in case of delays.

The Indian government has previously maintained 24x7 coordination through its missions in the region, including assistance for stranded Indians and transit facilitation. During the earlier phase of the crisis, the government said flights were continuing from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar was operating a limited schedule and some other regional airspaces were closed.

West Asia is not under a blanket aviation shutdown, and major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Doha continue to handle flights. But the latest Riyadh attack and the continuing US-Iran confrontation mean that schedules can change with little notice. For travel planned in the coming days, checking the airline, airport, and Indian government advisories on the day of departure is essential.

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