Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 20, 2026, citing continuing regional security concerns and disruptions to air travel.
Air India said it was closely monitoring developments and assessing conditions to determine when services could safely resume. Passengers affected by cancellations will be eligible for full refunds, the airline confirmed.
Air India Express also extended its suspension of services to the three Saudi Arabian cities, offering affected passengers the option of complimentary rescheduling or a full refund if they cancel their bookings.
Both airlines have advised travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and remain alert to changes in their travel arrangements.
The extension follows an earlier announcement by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on October 13, which said the two airlines had suspended flights to and from the three cities until October 17.
Other Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have also announced temporary suspensions affecting some Saudi routes as the regional situation continues to disrupt aviation operations.
Thousands of flights affected across Saudi Arabia
The latest extension comes amid widespread flight disruptions at Saudi Arabian airports following a series of attacks on facilities in the kingdom.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 4,000 scheduled departures from Saudi Arabia were cancelled or did not operate between October 8 and October 15. Of the 8,883 departures scheduled during the eight-day period, approximately 46 per cent were affected.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport experienced particularly severe disruption. On October 15, 298 of its 366 scheduled departures were affected, representing more than 81 per cent of planned flights.
Operations were also disrupted at Dammam and Jeddah. Dammam recorded 60 cancellations or affected departures out of 131 scheduled services on October 15, while Jeddah reported 87 affected flights out of 385 scheduled departures.
The disruptions have added uncertainty for passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly those relying on regular services for work, family visits and business trips.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised Indian nationals to maintain contact with their airlines and confirm flight schedules before travelling to airports.
Refunds and rescheduling options
Passengers whose Air India flights have been cancelled can claim full refunds under the airline’s latest announcement.
Air India Express customers can choose complimentary rescheduling or a full refund upon cancellation.
The budget carrier has asked passengers to visit its official website, airindiaexpress.com, and ensure their contact details are up to date so they can receive operational notifications.
Both airlines said they would continue monitoring the situation and reviewing operational conditions before restoring normal services.
Travellers with upcoming bookings to Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam should verify their flight status directly with their airline, as schedules may change depending on developments in the region.
