Air India has extended the cancellation of flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20, 2026, prolonging disruption to air links between India and Saudi Arabia amid regional security concerns.
The airline announced the extension on Friday, October 16, saying it was monitoring developments and assessing when services could safely resume. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered a full refund.
Air India and Air India Express had previously cancelled Saudi Arabia services until October 17. The latest Air India announcement extends the suspension at its three affected Saudi destinations by three days.
Other Indian carriers extend suspensions
IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 24, inclusive, following its assessment of the situation in Saudi Arabia.
Akasa Air has also extended its suspension of Riyadh flights until October 24 and Jeddah flights until October 21, citing the security situation in the Middle East.
The disruption follows drone and missile attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement, including reported attacks targeting Riyadh’s airport. The resulting uncertainty continues to affect airline operations and travel planning in the kingdom.
Travellers with affected bookings should check their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport. Those booked with Air India should contact the carrier or their booking agent about the refund offered for cancelled services.
File photo: Air India Boeing 787-9 at Wings India 2026. Photo: Sanil Nath / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Resized from original.
