IndiGo Extends Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations Amid Security Concerns After Deadly Attacks
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Indian airline IndiGo has extended flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns following drone and missile attacks on airports and critical infrastructure, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Friday.
IndiGo said it had extended the flight cancellations following a careful assessment of the evolving security situation, adding that flights to and from Riyadh would remain cancelled until October 31, while services to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah would remain suspended until October 27, 2026.
The extension follows a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday that killed an Indian national and injured two others. Another Indian national was injured in a separate attack at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield on the same day.
Other Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions
Other Indian carriers have also extended their flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights on all Saudi routes until October 24, while Akasa Air has cancelled flights on all routes until October 27.
The Indian mission had earlier advised nationals requiring urgent departure to consider travelling through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas.
Indian Missions Assist Stranded Travellers
The Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were actively engaging with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims.
It said around 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had travelled from Saudi Arabia to India on available flights over the past week, in addition to more than 10,000 pilgrims who had returned on flights booked as part of their normal travel arrangements.
The ministry added that arrangements were being discussed to facilitate the return of the remaining Umrah pilgrims at the earliest. The embassy and consulate, with support from community volunteers, were providing welfare assistance, operating 24-hour control rooms to help Indian nationals and issuing regular advisories.
Embassy Issues Safety Advisory
An earlier attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 12 killed an Indian national and injured several others, prompting the embassy to issue an advisory for the Indian community.
The embassy has urged Indians to remain alert, follow instructions issued by Saudi authorities and move to a safe place inside a building during aerial attacks.
It has also warned nationals against filming or sharing images and videos of interceptions or impact sites, citing the possibility of legal consequences under Saudi law.
Saudi Arabia is home to around 2.74 million Indians working across various sectors. With flight suspensions continuing and recent attacks affecting Indian nationals, Indian diplomatic missions are assisting travellers and pilgrims while urging the community to follow local safety instructions.
