Airlines & Airspace · India and Saudi Arabia
Air India, IndiGo extend Saudi Arabia flight suspensions to mid-November
Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have cancelled flights to key Saudi cities until 14 November, and Akasa Air until 10 or 30 November. Here's what Umrah travellers and other passengers can do.
By Roamie News Desk · Published · Updated
Photo: Shah134pk / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Air India and Air India Express have extended their suspension of flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until 14 November 2026 (inclusive), the airlines said on 30 October (PTI via Daily Excelsior). IndiGo and Akasa Air have also pushed back their restart dates for Saudi Arabia (Gulf News). If you planned to travel between India and Saudi Arabia in the first half of November, including for Umrah, your direct flight is likely cancelled.
This is an update to our 28 October report on Saudi flight disruption.
What we know
- Air India and Air India Express: Before this extension, Riyadh and Dammam flights were cancelled until 7 November and Jeddah flights until 31 October. All three cities are now suspended until 14 November. The airlines cited "the prevailing situation in the region" (PTI via Daily Excelsior; Daijiworld).
- IndiGo: Flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah are cancelled until 14 November (PTI via Daily Excelsior). Gulf News's 31 October list also includes Riyadh in IndiGo's cancellations to the same date (Gulf News).
- Akasa Air: Jeddah services are suspended until 10 November and Riyadh services until 30 November (PTI via Daily Excelsior; Gulf News).
- Why: The suspensions follow attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the airports in Riyadh and Dammam (Daijiworld). An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October killed one Indian national and injured two others (Travel Trade Journal).
- Riyadh airport: King Khalid International partly reopened, with Terminal 2 handling international flights from 25 October, but international operations are still disrupted (Travel Trade Journal). Saudia and flyadeal are running their Riyadh services through Qassim Airport, with bus transfers from Riyadh (Gulf News).
The Indian carriers are not alone. Gulf News lists many foreign airlines with Saudi cancellations into November, among them Etihad (Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah until 5 November) and Lufthansa (Riyadh until 18 November, Dammam until 30 November) (Gulf News).
What it means for travellers
If you hold an Air India or Air India Express ticket. Bookings issued on or before 30 October for travel up to 14 November qualify for either a one-time free rebooking or a full refund. Rebooked travel must be completed by 29 November, subject to seat availability (PTI via Daily Excelsior).
- Air India passengers can rebook to or from any Air India station in Saudi Arabia that is operating.
- Air India Express passengers can also rebook through an operating Air India Express station in Bahrain (Daijiworld).
If you're flying IndiGo or Akasa Air. The reports above don't spell out these airlines' rebooking terms, so check your booking with the airline directly. If you booked through a travel agent or an online platform, contact them, as they hold the ticket (Channeliam).
If you're planning Umrah. The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia have been working with airlines and tour operators to bring stranded Indian pilgrims home, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs as reported by Daijiworld. If your package includes flights, ask your operator now which flight they will put you on, and whether your visa and hotel dates can move with it.
Travelling via Riyadh? Even when flights run, expect longer journeys. Some domestic carriers are routing Riyadh passengers through Qassim by bus (Gulf News).
What to do
- Check your flight status on the airline's website or app before you leave home. Dates have changed several times in the past week.
- Choose between rebooking and a refund. If you're on Air India or Air India Express and your plans are flexible, a rebooking for travel by 29 November keeps your fare. If not, a full refund is available (PTI via Daily Excelsior).
- Use official contact channels. Air India and Air India Express list their call centre numbers on their websites, and you can also visit their city booking offices (Daijiworld).
- Be careful with connecting itineraries. Several Gulf carriers have their own Saudi cancellations (Gulf News). A one-stop routing is only safe once both legs are confirmed.
- Keep your paperwork together. Save cancellation emails and receipts for any extra costs, in case you claim on travel insurance.
What happens next
The new dates are 10 November (Akasa, Jeddah), 14 November (Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo) and 30 November (Akasa, Riyadh). Restarts depend on how the situation develops and on further airline announcements (Channeliam). Airlines have already extended these suspensions more than once, so treat any restart date as provisional until your airline confirms it.
Sources
- Air India, AI Express extend cancellation of Saudi Arabia flights till Nov 14 — Daily Excelsior (PTI)
- Air India, Air India Express suspend Saudi flights till November 14 — Daijiworld
- UAE flight status today: full list of cancellations, delays and airport updates on October 31 — Gulf News
- Indian airlines extend Saudi Arabia flight suspensions amid regional security concerns — Travel Trade Journal
- Indian Airlines Extend Saudi Flight Suspensions — Channeliam