Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia, disrupting services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah as airlines respond to the prevailing security situation in the region. The latest cancellations are affecting passengers travelling between India and Saudi cities, including Umrah pilgrims facing delayed departures and accommodation difficulties.
Air India and Air India Express will keep flights to Riyadh and Dammam suspended until November 7, while services to Jeddah have been postponed until October 31, according to announcements cited by the Economic Times. The airlines are offering eligible passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24 the choice of flexible rebooking or a full refund if they cancel their tickets.
Other Indian carriers have also altered their Saudi schedules. IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 31. Akasa Air has suspended services to Jeddah until November 10 and to Riyadh until November 30, according to airline announcements cited in the report.
The disruptions have placed additional pressure on passengers already in Saudi Arabia or preparing to travel for Umrah. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah previously activated round-the-clock control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah to assist affected Indian nationals. It is coordinating with Saudi authorities on visa extensions and delayed departures, while also helping address immediate needs such as food, medicines and accommodation-related assistance.
The consulate has advised Umrah pilgrims facing accommodation or service problems to contact the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Pilgrim Care Centre on 1966 within Saudi Arabia. Passengers have also been asked to share their case reference numbers with the consular control rooms so that officials can follow up on individual cases.
The flight suspensions followed alerts issued by Saudi authorities over a potential aerial threat in areas including Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu and Taif. Saudi authorities later said the danger had passed. The Saudi-led coalition also said its air defences intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu, according to the report.
For passengers holding affected bookings, the immediate operational issue is whether flights will resume on the announced dates or be extended again. Air India and Air India Express passengers with eligible bookings can use the airlines’ rebooking or refund options, while travellers requiring consular assistance have been directed to the control rooms and the Saudi pilgrim-support helpline. The current suspension dates remain November 7 for Riyadh and Dammam services and October 31 for Jeddah flights operated by the two Air India carriers.
