Air India, IndiGo extend Riyadh flight cancellations amid regional tensions

Indian airlines Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have either extended or announced flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions and disruptions to air travel.

Air India has extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until October 17, while IndiGo has extended cancellations on its Riyadh and Dammam routes until the same date.

Akasa Air has suspended flights to Jeddah and Riyadh until October 17. The latest changes follow attacks on Riyadh airport over the weekend, attributed to Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The disruptions come amid the wider regional impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran. According to a Notice to Airmen issued on Monday, the airport will remain closed until October 17.


Indian travellers planning to fly to Saudi Arabia should check their flight status with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport. Those with upcoming bookings may need to review rescheduling and cancellation options directly with their carriers. Several international airlines have also announced changes to their services to Riyadh and other destinations in the region.

Air France-KLM has extended its earlier suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until the end of October. Etihad Airways has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, along with 10 flights to Dammam and Jeddah, until October 19.

Gulf Air has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh from October 12 to October 17. Lufthansa Group airlines have suspended all flights to Riyadh until October 16. Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has postponed the resumption of its Hong Kong-Dubai and Hong Kong-Riyadh routes until January 31, 2027. Delta Air Lines has delayed its planned Atlanta-Riyadh services until March 2027. Philippine Airlines has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Riyadh until November 29.

With flight schedules changing across the region, Indian passengers travelling for work, business, family visits or onward international connections should confirm their itineraries before departure.

Travellers should monitor official airline updates and check whether their flights are operating as scheduled. Passengers with connecting flights should also verify whether changes to one leg of their journey affect the rest of their booking.

Those whose flights have been cancelled should contact their airlines for information on rebooking, refunds and available alternatives. Travellers should avoid relying on older schedules, as further changes may be announced depending on the security situation. The duration of the disruptions will depend on developments in the region and subsequent airline decisions.