# Air India, IndiGo and Akasa extend Saudi flight suspensions into November after Houthi attacks on airports

Business & Markets · 24 October 2026 · Saudi Arabia
URL: https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-24-air-india-indigo-and-akasa-extend-saudi-flight-suspensions-into

> Indian airlines extended cancellations to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, Air India until 7 November, as the Houthis claimed new strikes on Saudi airports and oil sites.

Air India and Air India Express said on 24 October that flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam would stay suspended until 7 November 2026 and Jeddah services until 31 October, citing escalating tensions and attacks at airports in Saudi Arabia. Both had earlier suspended Saudi services until 24 October. Passengers with bookings issued on or before 24 October can take a free date change or a full refund. [1][2]

IndiGo extended cancellations to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 31 October, after setting Riyadh cancellations to the same date a day earlier. Akasa Air extended its Riyadh suspension to 30 November and Jeddah to 10 November. [1][2][3]

The disruption follows an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October that killed an Indian national and injured two others, PTI reported; an earlier attack on Riyadh's King Khalid airport on 10 October also killed an Indian national. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh advised Indians needing urgent departure to consider transiting via Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar. About 2.74 million Indian nationals live in Saudi Arabia. [3]

On 24 October Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed attacks on an Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh refinery and airports in Riyadh, Dammam and Najran; Reuters reported no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities. The Indian consulate in Jeddah said it runs control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah and is helping stranded Umrah pilgrims with refunds and onward flights. [2][4]

## Who was involved

- [Air India](https://connectthedots.news/org/air-india): Suspended Riyadh and Dammam flights until 7 November [1][2]
- [IndiGo](https://connectthedots.news/org/indigo): Extended Saudi cancellations to 31 October [1][3]
- [Akasa Air](https://connectthedots.news/org/akasa-air): Suspended Riyadh flights until 30 November [1][2]
- [Houthis](https://connectthedots.news/org/houthis): Claimed new strikes on Saudi airports and oil facilities (unconfirmed by Saudi Arabia) [3][4]
- [Ministry of External Affairs](https://connectthedots.news/org/ministry-of-external-affairs): Embassy and consulate advising stranded Indians and pilgrims [2][3]

## How others covered it

- ThePrint, 23 October 2026: "IndiGo extends cancellation of flights to Saudi Arabia: Indian mission" https://theprint.in/world/indigo-extends-cancellation-of-flights-to-saudi-arabia-indian-mission/3079547/
- DNA India, 24 October 2026: "Saudi Arabia Flight Disruptions: Air India, IndiGo, Akasa extend suspensions; what passengers should know" https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-air-india-suspends-riyadh-dammam-flights-till-november-7-what-passengers-need-to-know-3222981
- Bombay Samachar, 24 October 2026: "Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities, Airports; Air India Suspends Riyadh, Dammam Flights" https://english.bombaysamachar.com/international/houthis-claim-attacks-saudi-oil-facilities-air-india-suspends-riyadh-dammam-flights/
- India TV, 24 October 2026: "Air India, Air India Express cancel flights to Riyadh and Dammam till Nov 7 amid regional tension" https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/air-india-air-india-express-cancel-flights-to-riyadh-and-dammam-till-nov-7-amid-regional-tension-2026-10-24-1057840
- Business Standard, 24 October 2026: "Air India and AI Express cancel Riyadh, Dammam flights till Nov 7" https://www.business-standard.com/amp/industry/aviation/air-india-and-ai-express-cancel-riyadh-dammam-flights-till-nov-7-126102401155_1.html

## Linked stories

- Caused by: [Deadly attack on Saudi airport in Dammam as US orders staff out of Saudi Arabia](https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-21-deadly-attack-on-saudi-airport-in-dammam-as-us-orders-staff-out-of) (21 October 2026)
- Related to: [Saudi Arabia says it downed Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh and Mecca; Houthis say Saudi strikes killed 11](https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-24-saudi-arabia-says-it-downed-houthi-missiles-aimed-at-riyadh-and-mecca) (24 October 2026)

## Sources

1. India TV News, "Air India, Air India Express cancel flights to Riyadh and Dammam till Nov 7 amid regional tension", 24 October 2026: https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/air-india-air-india-express-cancel-flights-to-riyadh-and-dammam-till-nov-7-amid-regional-tension-2026-10-24-1057840
2. DNA India, "Saudi Arabia Flight Disruptions: Air India, IndiGo, Akasa extend suspensions; what passengers should know", 24 October 2026: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-air-india-suspends-riyadh-dammam-flights-till-november-7-what-passengers-need-to-know-3222981
3. ThePrint, "IndiGo extends cancellation of flights to Saudi Arabia: Indian mission", 23 October 2026: https://theprint.in/world/indigo-extends-cancellation-of-flights-to-saudi-arabia-indian-mission/3079547/
4. Bombay Samachar, "Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities, Airports; Air India Suspends Riyadh, Dammam Flights", 24 October 2026: https://english.bombaysamachar.com/international/houthis-claim-attacks-saudi-oil-facilities-air-india-suspends-riyadh-dammam-flights/