Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air Extend Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations Until October 24, 2026

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Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air Extend Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations Until October 24, 2026
16 Oct 2026
5 min read

News Synopsis

Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns, with cancellations affecting Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina through late October.

Indian Airlines Extend Saudi Arabia Flight Suspensions

Major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air, have extended flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia amid rising security concerns and an evolving regional situation.

IndiGo has suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina until October 24, 2026. Air India has extended cancellations on services to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20.

Akasa Air has also revised its schedule, suspending flights to and from Riyadh until October 24 and services to Jeddah until October 21.

The airlines said their decisions followed assessments of the changing security situation. Passengers travelling on affected routes are advised to check their flight status and monitor official airline updates before heading to the airport.

IndiGo Cancels Flights to Four Saudi Cities Until October 24

IndiGo announced an extension of its flight suspensions after reviewing developments in the region. The affected destinations are Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, with cancellations continuing through October 24.

The airline said it was informing affected passengers using the contact details provided during booking. Travellers should check their registered email addresses and mobile numbers for notifications about cancellations and available alternatives.

Passengers with upcoming bookings should also consult IndiGo's official channels for the latest information, as schedules may change depending on security assessments.

Air India Extends Saudi Arabia Cancellations Until October 20

Air India announced on October 16 that it would continue suspending flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20.

The airline said passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority. It is monitoring developments and assessing when services can resume safely.

Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air had previously announced suspensions extending through October 17. The latest announcements from some carriers have extended the disruption beyond that date.

Passengers booked on Air India services to Saudi Arabia should confirm their flight status directly with the airline before travelling.

Akasa Air Extends Riyadh and Jeddah Flight Suspensions

Akasa Air has extended the suspension of its Riyadh services until October 24 and its Jeddah services until October 21.

The airline said it was continuously monitoring the security situation and would make operational decisions based on developments in the region.

The revised dates differ by destination, so passengers should check their individual bookings rather than assume that all Saudi Arabia routes are suspended for the same period.

Refunds and Free Rescheduling for Affected Passengers

The airlines have announced options to help travellers whose flights have been cancelled.

Akasa Air Passenger Options

Akasa Air has said eligible affected passengers can choose between a full refund and rescheduling their travel without additional fees. Refunds are expected to be credited to the original payment method within seven days, according to the airline.

Air India Refunds

Air India has also announced full refunds for affected passengers. Travellers should review the airline's official instructions to understand the process and the options applicable to their bookings.

What IndiGo Passengers Should Do

IndiGo is contacting affected customers through their registered booking details. Passengers should check the airline's official website or app for the available options and instructions relating to their specific reservations.

Travellers should use official airline channels to process refunds or changes and avoid relying on unverified messages or third-party claims.

Security Concerns Disrupt Flights to Saudi Arabia

The extended suspensions come amid heightened security concerns in the region, including reports of drone and missile attacks and threats affecting aviation operations.

Reports have also referred to an attack involving Riyadh airport. Airlines are reviewing their schedules as the security situation develops, prioritising the safety of passengers, flight crews and aircraft.

Services had already been temporarily suspended following reports of attacks at the Saudi capital's airport. The latest developments have prompted airlines to extend their precautionary measures.

The situation remains subject to change, making it important for passengers to rely on confirmed updates from their carriers and relevant authorities.

Rising Regional Tensions Affect Airline Operations

The reported escalation in hostilities involving the Iran-backed Houthi group and Saudi Arabia has added to concerns about regional security. Reports have described the use of armed drones and missiles, increasing uncertainty for airlines operating in the area.

Carriers must consider potential security risks when deciding whether to operate, reroute or suspend services. These decisions can affect travel plans, connecting flights and onward arrangements for passengers.

Although airlines have announced revised cancellation dates, these dates should not be treated as a guarantee that all services will resume immediately afterwards. Further changes may be announced depending on developments.

Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellation Dates at a Glance

Airline

Affected destinations

Suspension announced until

IndiGo

Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina

October 24, 2026

Air India

Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah

October 20, 2026

Akasa Air

Riyadh

October 24, 2026

Akasa Air

Jeddah

October 21, 2026

Conclusion

Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns, affecting several major destinations through October 24. Passengers should verify their flight status, review refund or rescheduling options and follow official airline announcements before making travel arrangements.

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