JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, October 15 (ANI) — India has established an additional control room in Makkah to assist its citizens, particularly Umrah pilgrims, affected by flight disruptions between the Indian subcontinent and Saudi Arabia, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah said.
The travel disruptions come amid heightened regional tensions across the Gulf following deadly drone and missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. Several airlines have suspended services to and through the country until October 17, while some regional carriers continue to operate on scheduled timetables.
The diplomatic mission announced Wednesday that the new assistance desk had been established at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office in Makkah. Its existing 24-hour control room in Jeddah remains operational.
Citizens requiring assistance can contact the Makkah facility at +966 553646966, the consulate said in a social media post on X.
Earlier, the consulate urged travelers, particularly those arriving in or departing from Jeddah and Madinah, to stay in close contact with airlines and verify flight schedules before traveling.
Umrah is an Islamic religious pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike the annual Haj pilgrimage. Pilgrims travel to Makkah, Islam’s holiest city, to perform the rituals.
Passengers were also advised to consult travel agents, tour operators and Umrah service providers for information about cancellations, rescheduling, alternative travel arrangements and accommodation, if needed.
The consulate said it was coordinating closely with airlines and regional administrations to assist affected citizens and would issue regular updates through its official digital channels.
The Jeddah control room operates around the clock and can be reached at +966 12 2614093 and +966 556122301. Assistance is also available through WhatsApp at +966 536209704 and by email at pbskcgi@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged expatriates across Saudi Arabia to follow instructions from regional administrations, remain indoors during aerial bombardments and refrain from sharing footage or media related to ongoing developments.
The embassy reported that services remained suspended at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while flights departing from Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah were experiencing partial disruptions.
Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and IndiGo, have suspended operations to Saudi Arabia until October 17, while regional airlines Saudia and Flynas continue to operate limited scheduled services, according to embassy statements.
Officials have reiterated their advice to stranded travelers to check flight updates before traveling and use the dedicated assistance facilities in Makkah and Jeddah for urgent support. (ANI)
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