Airlines suspend flights to Saudi Arabia until October 17

Mumbai: Airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia until October 17 after the kingdom's aviation regulator suspended operations at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, disrupting travel across the region and leaving passengers seeking alternative routes.

Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have suspended services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, with IndiGo also suspending flights to Medina, according to an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday. Akasa Air has also suspended flights to Riyadh and Jeddah until the same date.

The disruption has spread to international carriers. Emirates cancelled multiple services to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Medina on October 12 and 13, while Etihad Airways cancelled Abu Dhabi-Riyadh flights through October 19 and services to Jeddah and Dammam through October 14. Flydubai has reported cancellations affecting Riyadh, Dammam and Abha through October 19. Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam without announcing a resumption date. Gulf Air has cancelled Riyadh services through October 17.


European carriers have also extended disruptions. Lufthansa Group has cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, while Air France-KLM has suspended services to the Saudi capital through the end of October. Philippine Airlines has extended its Riyadh suspension until November 29.

The suspensions come after an attack at Riyadh airport on October 10 killed Indian national Mohammed Yousef Ali and injured 11 others. Four of the injured Indians remain in intensive care, four are receiving treatment in hospital wards and three have been discharged, the embassy said.

While operations at Riyadh airport have been suspended, flights at other major Saudi airports, including Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, continue, though they face disruptions. Saudi carriers Saudia and Flynas are operating some scheduled services, according to the embassy.

The disruption is forcing passengers to check alternative travel options as airlines adjust their schedules. Indian nationals needing to leave Saudi Arabia in an emergency can consider flights from neighbouring Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and Bahrain, subject to obtaining the required visas, the embassy said.

It advised Indian nationals to remain in contact with their airlines to verify flight status. It also said Saudi authorities would allow visitors, tourists, Umrah pilgrims and business travellers who overstayed their visas because flights were unavailable to leave without paying fines.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah continue to operate normally. The embassy has opened a 24-hour control room to assist Indian nationals as the situation evolves.