Riyadh Flights Cancelled: Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express Suspend Services Till October 10 After Houthi Attacks

Air India and budget carriers IndiGo and Air India Express on Thursday cancelled their flights to Riyadh until October 10, citing the security situation, after Yemen's Houthi movement struck two airports in Saudi Arabia in recent days, killing three people and injuring dozens. The airlines said affected passengers will get a full refund. Other carriers have also pulled back, with Singapore Airlines postponing the launch of its Riyadh service to March 28 and Philippine Airlines cancelling flights to the capital until at least Oct 11, according to Bloomberg. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in the south were attacked on Oct 6 and 7, with the Houthis claiming responsibility.

Indian Carriers Offer Refunds, Rescheduling

'In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10. Affected guests are being offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation. We continue to monitor the situation closely,' an Air India Express spokesperson said. US Issues Middle East Travel Warning As Houthis Claim Missile, Drone Attacks on Riyadh.

Houthis Issue Fresh Warning To Airlines

The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly claimed attacks on Saudi airports, military and oil facilities in recent days. Early on Thursday, the rebels warned global airlines 'for the last time' about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theatre for their military operations.

The group also claimed another ballistic missile attack on Riyadh airport on Thursday. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the claim. AI Error ‘Almost Started a War’: US Military Nearly Boarded Chinese Ship Over False Nuclear Intelligence During Iran War.

Riyadh Airport Urges Passengers To Check Status

King Khalid International Airport asked passengers to contact their airlines before heading to the airport, hours after multiple explosions echoed over the Saudi capital. 'We would like to inform passengers of the necessity to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before proceeding to the airport,' it said in a statement posted on X.

Flights at the airport were suspended for more than an hour on Wednesday morning, and the disruption continued into Thursday. Flight-tracking data cited by The National showed 11 cancellations and 58 delayed departures on Thursday morning. Later in the day, Gulf Business reported that cancellations had risen to more than 150 flights, with 111 others, or 28 per cent, delayed. Affected services included Saudia flights to Dubai, Turkish Airlines' flight to Istanbul and Qatar Airways' flight to Doha.

The US embassy in Riyadh has advised citizens to be aware of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions.

Three Killed, 36 Injured In Airport Attacks

On Wednesday, Saudi officials said the attacks on the Riyadh and Abha airports had killed three people and injured 36. These were the first deaths since Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major ground and air offensive against the rebels.

At Riyadh, a Sudanese resident was killed and eight people were wounded, including five Saudi citizens, two Egyptian residents and one Pakistani resident. At Abha, near the Yemen border, two women residents of Moroccan and Algerian nationality were killed and 28 others were injured.

Saudi spokesman Turki al-Maliki said forces had destroyed the launcher used in the attack on Riyadh. Saudi forces also intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile during the attacks.

Background: Widening Conflict

The fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis flared in July 2026, shortly after the US-Iran ceasefire unravelled. The Houthis have since carried out missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities and tankers, widening the Middle East war. An Aramco facility south of Riyadh was seen burning on Oct 3 after an attack. In July, the Houthis had also targeted Abha airport, leading to flight cancellations by several regional carriers.

The situation remains fluid, and airlines are continuing to assess the security environment before deciding on further schedule changes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 07:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).