Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until October 24, 2026. Passengers booked on the affected routes face cancellations and can seek a date change, an alternative Gulf departure point or a refund for a cancelled flight.
The carriers announced the extension on October 17. They cited “the prevailing situation” amid Houthi attacks in the region. The revised date replaces earlier suspension deadlines.
“We understand that these disruptions may affect our guests’ travel plans and are committed to providing as much flexibility as possible during this period.”
The airlines said they would continue monitoring developments and inform passengers of further changes. Their advisory offered different rerouting cities depending on which carrier issued the booking.
The free date change has a booking cutoff and travel window
Passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before 15 October 2026 qualify for a one-time complimentary date change if their scheduled travel falls between 9 October and 25 October 2026. They can move travel to a date no later than 10 November 2026.
The change must be made with the airline that issued the ticket. Availability and the applicable booking conditions still matter.
Passengers who do not want to take their original sector on a later date may instead ask to rebook from another Gulf Cooperation Council station served by their carrier. The options differ. The full-service carrier lists Dubai and Doha; the low-cost carrier lists Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Salalah and Sharjah.
Passengers choosing a different departure point must arrange their own transport there. They also need to meet the relevant visa and entry requirements. Those arrangements are the passenger’s responsibility.
Anyone whose flight has been cancelled can choose a full refund if they decide not to travel. The airlines direct customers to their contact centres and booking offices in India and Gulf countries for refund or rebooking requests.
The full-service carrier’s contact centre numbers are +91 1169329333 and +91 1169329999. The low-cost carrier lists +91 124 6935600. Booking offices in Gulf Cooperation Council stations and India can also assist.
Check the flight status before setting out
Airlines advised affected passengers to take these steps:
- Check the latest flight status before travelling to the airport.
- Keep contact information updated with the airline.
- Contact the relevant carrier’s customer care team or booking office about a change or refund.
- If switching to another Gulf departure point, arrange transport and check visa and entry requirements.
- Passengers booked through a travel partner should contact that partner when the airline directs them to do so.
Confirm the rerouting option with the airline first. Do that before making separate travel arrangements.
IndiGo and Akasa set separate city deadlines
Other Indian carriers also changed Saudi schedules. Their affected cities and end dates are not identical.
| Carrier | Affected cities and suspension end date | Passenger options |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through October 24, 2026, inclusive | The airline said it was notifying affected customers. Passengers booked through travel partners should contact them directly. |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh through October 24, 2026; Jeddah through October 21, 2026 | Passengers can request a full refund, credited to the original payment source within seven days, or reschedule without an additional charge. |
IndiGo announced its suspension extension on October 15, 2026. Akasa Air’s advisory was dated October 15, 2026, at 20:00 IST. The latter airline also said passengers who booked through travel partners should seek assistance from those companies.
The suspension date moved forward in two earlier advisories
The airlines had already extended their Saudi suspensions before the October 17 update. On October 13, the full-service carrier cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam through October 17, 2026, and offered affected passengers full refunds.
Two days later, Air India Express had an earlier suspension deadline of October 17. On October 16, the full-service carrier moved its own cancellations through October 20, 2026, saying it was monitoring developments and assessing when it could safely resume operations.
The low-cost carrier also extended flights to and from the three cities through October 20. Its earlier offer included complimentary rescheduling or a full refund. The October 17 advisory then moved both carriers’ suspension dates to October 24.
In an earlier advisory, the airline said passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority. It said it was continuing to assess the situation.
The Riyadh airport strike shaped the safety response
The cancellations followed an October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack killed 13 people and injured around 300. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that an Indian national injured in the incident later died.
India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, and embassy officials attended the funeral of Mohammed Yousef Ali. The embassy said Vipul conveyed condolences to the family and assured them of continued support.
The Houthis warned international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travellers against using Saudi aviation hubs. They described Saudi airspace as unsafe except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Riyadh’s airport remained closed until October 17, 2026, as authorities sought to protect passengers.
The airlines said they were monitoring the situation and would provide further updates. Their stated priority was helping affected passengers continue their journeys through available options.
