Several of India's prominent commercial airlines have suspended flights on routes serving Saudi Arabia, with India's embassy in Riyadh separately issuing a notice calling on nationals there to remain alert.
The embassy released an advisory urging Indian nationals throughout Saudi Arabia to stay indoors and limit outdoor activity to what was strictly necessary, citing aerial bombardments and ground-level security incidents tied to missile and drone attacks carried out by Houthi forces.
Flight operations between major Indian international airports and the three principal Saudi cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have been suspended by carriers including Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo, following a reassessment of airspace conditions that prompted a more cautious operational stance.
A security notice from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh called on nationals in the country to stay at home and exercise elevated personal caution, citing ongoing aerial activity and interception operations across the broader region. Foreign nationals were advised to keep road trips, public gatherings, and movement through restricted areas to a minimum, travelling only when circumstances left no other option.
Nationals were also advised to disregard unconfirmed reports circulating on social media and to maintain direct communication with the mission's dedicated hotlines for consular assistance and any steps related to departure procedures.
Notices distributed by both Air India and Air India Express confirmed that routes linking Indian cities to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah would carry no operational passenger flights until 20 October 2026. IndiGo stated that its flights between India and airports across Saudi Arabia would remain suspended through at least 24 October 2026, with the carrier citing ongoing safety reviews as the reason for the extended pause.
Passengers facing disruptions were informed that carriers had put accommodation measures in place, covering waived fees, no-cost rebooking, and full reimbursement of ticket costs.
At an open session of the UN Security Council, India put forward its position in support of Saudi Arabia in response to the armed strikes carried out by Houthi forces. Speaking on behalf of India, P. Harish stated that his country stands alongside Saudi Arabia's government and people as they work to protect their borders, key civilian infrastructure, and maritime trade routes from aerial and missile attacks.
The statement from New Delhi noted that freedom of navigation through Arabian Peninsula waters and the protection of civil aviation in the same airspace carry direct consequences for worldwide trade flows, energy distribution networks, and the large Indian community living and working across that part of the world.