India-Saudi flights: Air India, IndiGo extend cancellations to November 14
By Meera IyerGovernance & Policy Editor, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: JESHOOTS-com / Pixabay
Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have extended Saudi Arabia flight cancellations to November 14, 2026; Akasa's run to November 30.
What Happened
Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of their flights between India and Saudi Arabia until Saturday, November 14, 2026, citing the security situation in the region, and IndiGo has extended its cancellations to the same date. Akasa Air has suspended Jeddah flights until November 18 and Riyadh flights until November 30. The Air India group announced its extension on Friday, October 30. Saudi airlines are still flying between the Kingdom and India, according to updates from the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, which has advised travellers, especially Umrah pilgrims, to check with airlines and tour operators before travelling.
Key Facts
- Air India and Air India Express: no flights to or from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until November 14.
- IndiGo: cancellations to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14, citing regional airspace restrictions.
- Akasa Air: Jeddah suspended until November 18 and Riyadh until November 30.
- Affected Air India passengers can get one free rebooking for travel until November 29, or a full refund.
- Saudi carriers continue to fly to India from Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam, and limited operations have resumed at Riyadh airport, including India-bound flynas services, according to Indian missions.
- The consulate in Jeddah runs 24-hour control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah.
- Umrah pilgrims whose stay is extended are advised to call the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's Pilgrim Care Centre on 1966 from a Saudi number and keep the case reference.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia draws many kinds of Indian travellers: workers going to and from jobs in the Gulf, families visiting relatives, business travellers and pilgrims travelling for Umrah to Makkah and Madinah. When three of India's main airlines stop flying, the pressure falls on the remaining options. Saudi airlines are still operating, but with fewer seats on offer, fares can rise and travellers may have to connect through other cities or accept longer journeys.
The suspensions are tied to the security situation in West Asia, where conflict around Iran has led to airspace restrictions and, earlier, missile attacks that forced Riyadh's airport to close for a time. Airlines have extended their pauses in short steps rather than announcing one long break, which makes planning hard for travellers. Each extension leaves people who had booked for the next fortnight to rebook or seek a refund.
For pilgrims, the problem is sharper because Umrah visas and package tours run on fixed dates. Some Indian pilgrims have found themselves in Saudi Arabia longer than planned. The consulate says it is working with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and its foreign ministry on the validity of visas for pilgrims whose departure is delayed, and is connecting Indian Umrah tour operators with airlines that are still flying to India.
Peepals calculation: Air India's free rebooking window, to November 29, runs 15 days beyond the end of its suspension on November 14 (29 − 14 = 15). Akasa's Riyadh suspension, to November 30, lasts 16 days longer than the Air India and IndiGo suspensions (30 − 14 = 16), and its Jeddah suspension 4 days longer (18 − 14 = 4). Our calculation from the reported dates.
| Airline | Saudi cities affected | Suspended until |
|---|---|---|
| Air India / Air India Express | Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam | November 14 |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | November 14 |
| Akasa Air | Jeddah | November 18 |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh | November 30 |
Impact
Short-term: Travellers booked on Indian airlines to Saudi Arabia before mid-November must rebook, take a refund, or switch to Saudi carriers. Umrah groups may need to change dates or routes, and fares on the remaining flights may rise.
Long-term: If the security situation does not improve, further extensions are possible, which could affect Umrah travel in the coming months and the movement of Indian workers to and from the Gulf.
Who is affected: Indian Umrah pilgrims and tour operators, Indian workers in Saudi Arabia and their families, business travellers, and the airlines and travel agents handling rebookings.
What to watch next: whether Air India and IndiGo resume flights after November 14, and Akasa's dates of November 18 for Jeddah and November 30 for Riyadh.
Key Takeaway
Indian airlines have paused Saudi flights until at least November 14, 2026, with Akasa's Riyadh pause running to November 30, while Saudi carriers keep flying and the Jeddah consulate helps stranded pilgrims.
Questions and Answers
Are India-Saudi flights cancelled?
Indian airlines have suspended them for now. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have cancelled flights to Saudi cities until November 14, 2026, and Akasa Air until November 18 for Jeddah and November 30 for Riyadh.
Can I still fly from India to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, on Saudi carriers. Indian missions say Saudi airlines continue to fly between the Kingdom and India, and limited operations, including India-bound flynas flights, have resumed at Riyadh.
What can Air India passengers do if their Saudi flight is cancelled?
Eligible passengers can take one free rebooking for travel until November 29 or a full refund.
What should Umrah pilgrims stuck in Saudi Arabia do?
The Indian consulate in Jeddah advises them to stay in touch with airlines and tour operators, contact the consulate's 24-hour control rooms in Jeddah or Makkah if needed, and, if their stay is extended, call the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's Pilgrim Care Centre on 1966 from a Saudi number.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Meera Iyer, Governance & Policy EditorCovers Governance & Policy and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Meera Iyer
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Meera Iyer is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
