Air India Suspends All Saudi Arabia Flights Till October 17; Full Refunds Offered to Passengers
Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until October 17, 2026, citing the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia. The airline announced full refunds for affected passengers, stating that it is closely monitoring regional developments to resume safe operations while prioritising the safety of passengers and crew.
In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until October 17, 2026. The airline announced the operational suspension on Tuesday, noting that it is closely monitoring and assessing regional developments before deciding on a resumption date.
"We are closely monitoring and assessing the developments in the region to resume safe operations," the flag carrier said in a statement. "Affected guests are being offered a full refund on cancellation. At Air India, the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain the highest priority." Donald Trump Says US ‘May’ Join Saudi Strikes on Houthis.
Air India Issues Travel Advisory
Air India Suspends All Saudi Arabia Flights Till October 17
The temporary suspension follows escalating security risks across Saudi civilian aviation infrastructure, including missile and drone attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which triggered flight diversions and airport operational closures across the kingdom.
Full Refunds and Assistance for Affected Passengers
Air India confirmed that travelers holding bookings on the cancelled routes to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah will receive full refunds for their journeys.
The carrier stated that passengers can claim refunds or manage booking adjustments through its official reservation platforms and customer support channels. Other Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have also announced extended flight cancellations and schedule revisions for Saudi destinations covering the same period.
Regional Airspace Constraints and Security Precaution
The suspension comes in the wake of cross-border aerial strikes in the Gulf, which prompted Saudi civil aviation authorities to issue notices restricting operations at key hubs. International carriers across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have similarly grounded flights or rerouted services away from vulnerable regional corridors.
Air India stated that passenger safety remains paramount, adding that its operational teams will continue to review situational assessments and government advisories to determine when scheduled commercial flights can safely resume.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 13, 2026 04:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).