NEW DELHI, India, October 13 (ANI) — Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India, have suspended flights to and from several cities in Saudi Arabia until Saturday amid escalating regional tensions and recent attacks that have raised concerns about airspace safety.
In a travel advisory posted on X, IndiGo announced the cancellation of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through October 17, citing the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia.
The airline advised passengers to check their flight status on its official website before leaving for the airport. It said updates would be shared through the contact details provided at the time of booking and that its support teams would remain available to assist passengers.
“Due to the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 17 October 2026,” IndiGo said. The airline added that passenger safety remained its top priority and that it was coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure safe operations.
Akasa Air also extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah through October 17, citing the escalating security situation in the Middle East and the associated risks to safe flight operations.
The airline said affected passengers could opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost. Refunds would be credited to the original payment method within seven days. Passengers who booked through travel partners were advised to contact them directly for assistance.
Akasa Air said it was closely monitoring developments and assessing the situation in real time, with safety remaining its primary consideration.
Air India announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah through October 17. The airline said it was monitoring developments in the region and assessing when safe operations could resume. Affected passengers are being offered full refunds.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia amplified the airlines’ announcements on X, confirming that Akasa Air had suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah and that IndiGo had canceled services to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through October 17.
Earlier Tuesday, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, and embassy officials attended the funeral service of Indian national Mohammed Yousef Ali, who died in a recent Houthi attack on Riyadh airport.
The ambassador conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and assured them of the embassy’s continued support and assistance, according to a statement posted by the embassy on X.
The development comes as the death toll from the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh rose to 13 after the Indian Embassy confirmed the death of an Indian national who had been injured in the incident.
Amid the military escalation, the Houthis issued a broad warning to international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travelers, urging them to avoid Saudi aviation hubs and declaring Saudi airspace unsafe, with an explicit exception for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. (ANI)
About The Author
