Air India extends flight cancellations to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah until October 20

New Delhi, Oct 16 : Air India on Friday extended the cancellation of all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia until October 20, 2026, citing the evolving security situation in the Kingdom amid reports of attacks on civilian airports and aviation infrastructure.

In a statement posted on X, the airline said it was closely monitoring developments and continuously assessing the situation to determine when flight operations could safely resume.

“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.

Air India added that passengers affected by the cancellations would be offered a full refund. The airline reiterated that the safety and security of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.

The disruption has also affected other Indian carriers operating services to Saudi Arabia. IndiGo announced that flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah would remain cancelled until October 24, 2026.

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

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

In its October 15 travel advisory, Akasa Air said affected passengers could opt for a full refund, which would be credited to the original payment method within seven days, or reschedule their journeys without additional charges.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has strongly condemned attacks targeting civilian airports, aircraft and aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the UN specialised agency expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and people and conveyed its condolences to the victims and their families. The Council also expressed concern over the impact of such attacks on aviation operations, flight safety and international security.

The condemnation followed a statement delivered by Saudi Arabia before the ICAO Council on October 8.

The flight suspensions come amid reported Houthi attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure. According to reports, Houthi drone and missile strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other Saudi airports during October have killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 300 others in a series of attacks.

The Houthis have also warned employees and civilians near Saudi Arabia's oil facilities to evacuate, describing the sites as “legitimate targets”.

The disruption has extended beyond Indian carriers, with several international airlines reportedly suspending or adjusting services to Riyadh. The situation has also raised concerns over international travel arrangements ahead of the EU-GCC summit scheduled for October 24, 2026.

Air India said it would continue monitoring developments and reassess the situation before resuming services to the affected destinations.

Passengers scheduled to travel to or from Riyadh, Dammam or Jeddah have been advised to check the latest updates from their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport.