Air India halts Riyadh and Dammam flights until 7 November as Saudi suspensions lengthen

Air India and its low-cost arm Air India Express have stopped flying to Riyadh and Dammam until 7 November, the latest Indian carriers to lengthen their suspensions as the security situation in Saudi Arabia shows no sign of easing.

The two airlines said in a joint advisory on Saturday that the decision was taken “in view of the prevailing situation in the region”. Their flights to and from Jeddah stay suspended until 31 October.

For passengers the airlines have widened their offer. Anyone holding a confirmed ticket issued on or before 24 October can rebook at no cost or take a full refund on cancellation, and Air India is allowing a one-time free change of date. Travellers whose Riyadh or Dammam flights fall on or before 7 November can move once, free of charge, to or from any Air India station in Saudi Arabia that is still operating, for travel up to 21 November. Jeddah passengers with dates up to 31 October get the same option for travel up to 14 November.

Air India Express is also offering alternative routings through other points in Saudi Arabia and through Bahrain, with similar travel windows. Both airlines said dedicated teams at city booking offices and call centres were handling queries.

Other airlines go further

IndiGo has cancelled its flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through 31 October. A day earlier it had dropped Riyadh until the end of the month and the other three cities only until 27 October. The airline said passenger and crew safety was guiding its decisions and that it was in touch with the relevant authorities.

Akasa Air has suspended Jeddah until 10 November and Riyadh until 30 November, the longest pause announced by any Indian carrier so far.

The cuts follow weeks of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on its airports. On Saturday Saudi authorities again sent emergency alerts to phones in four cities, warning residents of an aerial threat.

Help for pilgrims

The worst affected are Indian Umrah pilgrims, many of whom have been left in Saudi Arabia by the cancellations. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah issued an advisory for Indian nationals and said control rooms were running round the clock in Jeddah and Makkah.

Indian community groups and volunteers are helping with food, essential medicines and other relief, the consulate said. It is in touch with Indian airlines over refunds and is connecting Umrah operators with airlines that are still flying to India, though it cautioned that alternatives depend on seat availability, fares and each airline’s rules.

The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that about 3,000 stranded pilgrims had come home over the past week and that it was working with airlines and tour operators to bring back the rest.