Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia until November 14, 2026, citing the prevailing security situation in the region. The airlines announced the extension on Friday, October 30, in a fresh travel advisory that pushes back the return of services to three major Saudi cities.
Flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive, the airlines said. In a statement shared on X, Air India Newsroom said: “Due to the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 14 November 2026 (inclusive).”
Key Takeaways
- Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until November 14, 2026.
- Passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30 for travel up to November 14 can rebook once free of charge or claim a full refund.
- IndiGo and Akasa Air have also extended cancellations on Saudi routes, as regional security concerns continue to disrupt aviation.
What Changed on October 30
The October 30 advisory replaces the earlier schedule set out on October 24. Under that earlier plan, services to and from Riyadh and Dammam were to remain suspended until November 7, while flights connecting Jeddah were scheduled to resume after October 31. The new advisory extends all three cities to the same date, November 14.
The extension is the latest in a series of rolling suspensions affecting India-Saudi air travel, as airlines reassess operations in response to the evolving security situation in West Asia. The airlines have not announced a resumption date beyond November 14, and any further change will depend on how the security picture develops.
Flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive.
What Passengers Can Do
Passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30, 2026, for travel up to November 14, 2026, have two options. They may avail a one-time complimentary rebooking, subject to availability, for travel up to November 29, 2026, or opt for a full refund upon cancellation of their booking.
Air India guests may rebook to or from any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia, while Air India Express guests may rebook to or from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, according to the advisory. Affected passengers are advised to stay in regular contact with their airlines, travel agents and Umrah service providers for updates on cancellations, refunds and rebooking options.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has intensified assistance to stranded travellers through round-the-clock control rooms operating in Jeddah and Makkah, as concerns over aviation security in the region continue to grow.
- Air India and Air India Express flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive.
- Earlier, Riyadh and Dammam services were suspended until November 7 and Jeddah services until October 31.
- Eligible passengers can rebook once free of charge for travel up to November 29, or take a full refund.
- IndiGo has cancelled flights to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14; Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh flights until November 30 and Jeddah flights until November 10.
Why Flights Are Being Suspended
The suspensions come amid escalating hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, with repeated missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure, including airports and energy installations. The Houthis have claimed strikes on Saudi targets across October, and Saudi Arabia has reported intercepting missiles and drones, including in the Mecca region, as covered in our report on Saudi Arabia intercepting a Houthi drone near Mecca.
According to reports, a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities. News reports citing the October attacks say six coordinated waves of attacks across the month allegedly left 22 people dead and more than 383 injured. The disruption to aviation has been one of the most visible consequences: Saudi airports have faced closures and damage, and Riyadh airport reopened only after a two-week closure earlier in October.
The wider regional picture remains tense. Energy markets have also reacted to the attacks on Saudi facilities, with oil prices surging to six-month highs earlier in the week, as covered in our report on Brent crude hitting a six-month high. For airlines, the calculation is straightforward: until airports and airspace are judged safe, services stay grounded.
Other Indian Carriers Affected
Air India is not alone in extending its cancellations. IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14, while Akasa Air has suspended services connecting Riyadh until November 30 and Jeddah until November 10. Together, the extensions mean that most direct India-Saudi capacity remains offline into mid-November, affecting business travellers, workers and Umrah pilgrims alike.
For Umrah travellers in particular, the disruption is significant. Jeddah is the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Makkah, and the suspension of services there, combined with the consulate’s stepped-up assistance, underlines how many passengers are caught up in the cancellations.
What to Watch Next
Travellers should watch for any further advisory from Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo or Akasa Air ahead of November 14, and for any change in the security situation affecting Saudi airports. The key questions are whether services resume on November 15 as currently scheduled, whether the suspension is extended again, and whether other carriers follow the same timeline. Passengers with bookings in the affected window should check their airline’s advisory before travelling to the airport, and use the rebooking or refund options while they remain available.