Flight connections linking India and Saudi Arabia face interruptions through at least 24 October, as heightened instability across the broader Middle East region has led several Indian carriers to push back the resumption of their routes to the Kingdom. Drone and missile strikes attributed to Yemen-based Houthi forces — hitting power and transport infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, including the airport serving Riyadh — prompted both Air India and Air India Express to suspend their flight operations.
Airline routes linking India and Saudi Arabia have faced disruptions — including groundings and postponements — following accounts of an attack on the main international airport serving the country's capital. Flight cancellations by Air India had been extended through 20 October, while Air India Express had kept its own operations on hold through 17 October.
Flight suspensions on routes linking both carriers to Saudi Arabia remained in place, with IndiGo keeping its Saudi services grounded through 24 October, while Akasa Air held its Riyadh service off the schedule to the same date and its Jeddah service through 21 October. A notice issued by Akasa Air indicated that the move, finalised on Saturday in response to prevailing conditions, would give affected travellers as much scheduling flexibility as the disruption period allowed.
Travellers booked on flights to Saudi Arabia — among them those intending to perform Umrah or the Hajj pilgrimage — have faced schedule upheaval following the airport's shutdown. Airports serving Jeddah, Dammam, and Medina remained operational at the time, though each faced varying degrees of disruption.
On Friday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued an advisory urging nationals to remain at home and avoid venturing outside should any aerial attack occur. The advisory also covered the shutdown of Riyadh's airport. Travellers with plans to visit the Kingdom were advised to check whether their flights remained operational and to make arrangements for a potentially longer stay than anticipated.
The advisory additionally addressed Indian nationals caught up in the 10 October attack at the airport. Of the six nationals from India, a pair remained under intensive care, one was placed in the high-dependency unit, and three others occupied beds in a standard ward.
Travellers with Umrah plans in the coming days — especially those routed through Jeddah or Medina — have been urged by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah to review their itineraries if any doubt remains about their travel arrangements. Those travelling back to India from Saudi Arabia were advised to look into rerouting through alternative Gulf destinations — Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar — where their existing visas would permit entry.
Travellers are urged to contact their airline directly for up-to-date flight information before heading to the airport, as timetables remain subject to adjustment and some services may not operate as originally planned.
