Indian travellers to Saudi Arabia face a longer wait. Air India and Air India Express have cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until November 7 and Jeddah until October 31, while IndiGo and Akasa Air have also pushed back their restart dates. The extensions came on Saturday, October 24, the same day Saudi air defences shot down Houthi ballistic missiles fired towards Taif, Yanbu and Riyadh.
For the lakhs of Indians who work in the Kingdom, and for families of Umrah pilgrims waiting for their return, it means more days of uncertainty, rebooking and searching for alternative routes.
New Cancellation Dates at a Glance
| Airline | Routes and suspension |
|---|---|
| Air India / Air India Express | Riyadh and Dammam until November 7; Jeddah until October 31 |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 31 |
| Akasa Air | Jeddah until November 10; Riyadh until November 30 |
| Earlier deadline | Most Indian airlines had cancelled Saudi services only until October 24 |
Air India said the decision was due to "the prevailing situation in the region", while IndiGo said it had extended its cancellations after "a careful assessment" of the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia. IndiGo had originally planned to resume Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights after October 27 but moved that date by four days within 24 hours.
What Happened on Saturday
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said its air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Taif and Yanbu in the west of the Kingdom. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki announced the interception around noon. The coalition separately said it destroyed a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh after an early-morning alert, and a drone over the Eastern Province.
Saudi Civil Defence briefly issued "potential danger" alerts for Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Yanbu, asking residents to move to the nearest safe place. The alerts were lifted within minutes. Authorities also reminded the public that sharing photos or videos of missile and drone interceptions is against the law – an important point for expatriates who may be tempted to post clips on social media.
Why the Attacks Have Increased
Cross-border strikes on Saudi Arabia have risen sharply since a four-year truce in Yemen broke down in July, against the backdrop of the wider conflict involving Iran. The Kingdom has faced sustained missile and drone attacks in recent weeks, including strikes that hit airports – which is why airlines have grown cautious about flying in.
Impact on Kerala and Other States
The disruption is hitting Kerala particularly hard, given the large number of Malayalis working in Saudi Arabia. Kozhikode airport saw 22 Gulf flights cancelled on October 16 alone, and Kochi lost 10 Gulf services between October 11 and 13. Travellers have complained of repeated cancellations and costly alternative routings through other Gulf hubs.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are coordinating with airlines and tour operators to bring stranded Indian pilgrims home.
Stranded? Here Is What You Can Do
- Check refund or rebooking: Air India and Air India Express say passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24 can opt for flexible rebooking or a full refund if their flight is cancelled.
- Consider another Gulf airport: Air India Express has earlier allowed rebooking via hubs such as Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat, subject to seats and visa rules. Ask your airline whether this is still available.
- Umrah pilgrims with accommodation problems can call the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's Pilgrim Care Centre on 1966 from within Saudi Arabia, register a complaint and share the reference number with the Indian consulate's control rooms.
- Use the consulate's 24x7 control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah; the consulate is also working with Saudi authorities on visa extensions for delayed pilgrims.
- Do not head to the airport without confirming your flight status directly with the airline.
What Happens Next
Airlines are reviewing the situation day by day, and further extensions cannot be ruled out if attacks continue. Travellers with bookings in early November should watch for updates from their carrier and from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, which has issued a travel alert on the situation.
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