New Delhi: Indian airlines have extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions and attacks on civilian infrastructure. IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Saudi Arabia’s main cities until October 27, and to and from Riyadh until October 31. The suspensions follow recent attacks on airports and energy installations in Saudi Arabia that killed a civilian and a pilot.
IndiGo confirmed the cancellations in a post on X on Friday, saying, “In view of the evolving security situation and following a careful assessment, IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh will remain cancelled until 31 October 2026 (inclusive), while flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until 27 October 2026 (inclusive).”
Akasa Air has also extended its flight suspensions on Saudi routes into November, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia said on X. The airline has suspended flights to and from Jeddah until November 10 and Riyadh until November 30, according to an earlier advisory.
The disruptions come amid a deteriorating security situation in the region. An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21 killed one Indian national and injured two others. The Indian embassy in Riyadh said it was assisting the family of the deceased with arrangements to transport his mortal remains to India. One of the injured was discharged from hospital on October 22, while the other was expected to be discharged on October 24.
Another Indian national injured in an attack on the Shaybah oilfield in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on October 21 was discharged from hospital on October 22, the embassy said on X.
Earlier, an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed one Indian national and injured several others. According to the embassy’s latest update, two of the injured Indians are receiving treatment, while two others remain in a normal ward. Seven injured Indian nationals have been discharged from hospital so far. The funeral of the deceased Indian national was held in Riyadh on October 12.
The embassy thanked Saudi authorities for the medical care provided to the injured and urged the Indian community to take necessary precautions and comply with local laws. It specifically cautioned Indian nationals against taking or sharing photographs and videos of interceptions, impact sites and related incidents, warning that such actions could have legal consequences under Saudi law.
At a media briefing on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia were in touch with the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah. The missions are coordinating with affected Indians and working with airlines and tour operators to help those seeking to travel back to India return early.
Jaiswal also advised Indian nationals to follow local advisories and instructions issued by Saudi authorities as the security situation evolves. The Indian missions, supported by community volunteers, are providing welfare assistance and operating 24-hour control rooms to help citizens affected by the disruptions.
Indian Umrah pilgrims have also been affected by the flight suspensions, and diplomatic missions are working with the airlines and tour operators to help them return at the earliest. The embassy had earlier recommended that Indians who needed to travel in an emergency consider travelling via Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, provided they obtained the required visas.
About 2.74 million Indians work in Saudi Arabia.