Air India, IndiGo, Akasa extend flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns

Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have extended the suspension of flights to several Saudi Arabian cities amid the evolving security situation in West Asia.

Air India on Friday said all its flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah would remain cancelled until October 20.

“In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 20 October 2026,” the airline said in a post on X.

It informed that affected passengers were being offered a full refund, while the airline continued to monitor developments and assess the situation for the safe resumption of operations.

IndiGo, in a travel advisory issued on Thursday, said flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah would remain cancelled until October 24.

“Following a careful assessment of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 24 October 2026 (inclusive),” it said.

The airline said affected customers were being notified using the contact details provided at the time of booking. Passengers who booked through travel partners were advised to contact them directly for assistance.

Akasa Air has also extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh until October 24 and Jeddah until October 21.

In a travel update issued on Thursday, the airline said the decision followed an assessment of the prevailing security situation in the Middle East.

Passengers affected by the cancellations can opt for a full refund, to be credited to the original payment source within seven days, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost, it said.

The flight suspensions come amid heightened security concerns following attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi group on targets in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis said late on Monday that they had attacked Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile, shortly after Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted and destroyed a missile fired towards the capital.

The group also claimed to have targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia with a drone.

The airport has been shut since an attack on Saturday that killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen others.