Air India extends cancellation of Riyadh flights until October 15 as Saudi tensions re-escalate

Air India on Monday announced the extension of cancellation of fights to and from Riyadh until October 15, following the deadly weekend attacks on Riyadh airport by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, according to Reuters.

The fresh attacks added to wider disruption in the region since the Iran conflict started.

Other Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air have also cancelled flights to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.


Also read: Saudi Arabia's Dammam airport attacked, aviation authority says

IndiGo, India's largest airline extended cancellations on routes to Riyadh and Dammam until October 15, while Air India Express announced cancellation of flights to Saudi Arabia's Dammam and Jeddah for October 12 and flights to Riyadh until October 15.

Akasa Air had also suspended flights to Jeddah and Riyadh until October 13.

Riyadh airport to remain shut

Following weekend attacks in the region, Saudi Arabia said Riyadh airport would remain shut for now. The authorities stated that the country was facing a new barrage of incoming fire on Mondaythat

Incoming drones and missiles were reported by the Saudi-led coalition backing government forces in Yemen, though there was no immediate update on any damage.

The Houthis have launched attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week as part of a rapidly escalating conflict that has spilled over from the wider regional conflagration between the United States and Iran.

The recent attacks have shut down parts of Saudi airspace, suspending operations at Riyadh airport, and largely emptying the skies over the capital.