IndiGo, Akasa, Air India cancel Saudi Arabia flights till Oct 17 after airport attacks
Representative image: JESHOOTS-com / Pixabay
Indian airlines extended cancellations of flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17, 2026 after Houthi attacks on Saudi airports.
What Happened
Indian airlines have extended the suspension of their flights to Saudi Arabia, with IndiGo and Akasa Air saying on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 that services to Saudi cities will stay cancelled until Saturday, October 17. IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, citing the evolving situation in the country, and Akasa Air has extended its suspension of all Riyadh and Jeddah flights for the same period. Air India and Air India Express have also cancelled Saudi services; the Indian Embassy in Riyadh listed their flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah as cancelled until October 17, although some reports gave an earlier end date for Air India's Riyadh flights. The cancellations follow Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, including Riyadh's.
Key Facts
- IndiGo: flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah cancelled until October 17, 2026.
- IndiGo passengers can take a full refund for a cancelled ticket or rebook at no extra cost.
- Akasa Air: all flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah suspended until October 17.
- Air India and Air India Express: Saudi services cancelled; the Indian Embassy gave October 17 as the date for Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, while reports on Air India's Riyadh flights differ, so passengers should check with the airline.
- The Indian Embassy's advisory of October 8 asked Indian nationals to stay alert, remain indoors when necessary and follow Saudi authorities' instructions.
- The embassy said it, the Consulate General in Jeddah and their outsourced VFS centres are working normally; the 24-hour Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra toll-free helpline is 800 247 1234.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia is one of the busiest international destinations for Indian travellers. Large numbers of Indians work in the kingdom, and many more travel there for pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, for business or to visit family. When flights from several Indian carriers stop at once, the effect is felt by people trying to get to Saudi Arabia and by those trying to come home.
The disruption is tied to the wider conflict in the region. Houthi forces in Yemen have stepped up attacks on Saudi airports and infrastructure, and Riyadh's airport has been hit. Airlines suspend flights when they cannot be sure that airports and airspace are safe, and the decision is reviewed day by day. That is why dates have already been extended more than once, and could be extended again.
For travellers, the practical point is that a cancellation by the airline gives you rights. IndiGo is offering a full refund or a free change of date. Passengers on other airlines should check the airline's website or app for their own options before heading to the airport, and anyone already in Saudi Arabia who needs help can contact the Indian Embassy, the consulate in Jeddah or the helpline.
| | Airline | Saudi cities affected | Cancelled until | |
|---|---|---|
| | IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | October 17 | |
| | Akasa Air | Riyadh, Jeddah | October 17 | |
| | Air India, Air India Express | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah | October 17 per embassy; check airline | |
Impact
Short-term: Travellers with bookings to Saudi Arabia this week face cancellations and must choose refunds or new dates; returning workers and pilgrims may face delays.
Long-term: If attacks on Saudi airports continue, suspensions could be extended further and fares on remaining routes via other Gulf hubs may rise.
Who is affected: Indian workers in Saudi Arabia and their families, Umrah pilgrims and tour operators, business travellers, and airlines that rely on Gulf traffic.
Key Takeaway
IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India have cancelled Saudi Arabia flights until October 17, 2026 after attacks on Saudi airports, so travellers should check bookings and claim refunds or free rebooking.
Questions and Answers
Which Indian airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia?
IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India and Air India Express have all cancelled Saudi flights. IndiGo and Akasa Air say their suspensions run until October 17, 2026.
Which Saudi cities are affected?
IndiGo has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah; Akasa Air to Riyadh and Jeddah; and Air India and Air India Express to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
Can I get a refund if my IndiGo flight to Saudi Arabia is cancelled?
Yes. IndiGo says passengers on cancelled flights can take a full refund or reschedule at no additional cost.
Where can Indians in Saudi Arabia get help?
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are open as usual, and the 24-hour Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra toll-free helpline is 800 247 1234.
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.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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