Air India Suspends Flights to Riyadh and Dammam Amid Regional Tensions
Air India and Air India Express suspend flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah due to security concerns. Find rebooking and refund details here.
In a significant move driven by the evolving security situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express have announced the suspension of flight operations to several key destinations in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes as airlines prioritize the safety of their passengers and crew amid growing instability.
Flight Suspension Timelines
According to a joint advisory shared on X, the flight disruptions vary by destination. Services to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 7, 2026. Meanwhile, flights connecting to Jeddah are suspended through October 31, 2026.
Relief Options for Affected Passengers
To mitigate the inconvenience caused by these sudden cancellations, the airlines have introduced flexible options for guests who held confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24, 2026:
- Full Refunds: Passengers may opt for a complete refund upon the cancellation of their bookings.
- Complimentary Rebooking: A one-time complimentary date change is available for those impacted.
Specific Rebooking Windows
The airlines have outlined specific windows for rebooking based on the destination:
- Riyadh and Dammam: Passengers with original travel dates up to November 7 can rebook to any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia (subject to availability) for travel up to November 21, 2026.
- Jeddah: Passengers with original travel dates up to October 31 can rebook to any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia for travel up to November 14, 2026.
Air India Express has further expanded these options, allowing guests on the Riyadh and Dammam sectors to rebook flights to any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain and India for travel up to November 21, 2026. Similarly, Jeddah-bound passengers can rebook to these stations for travel up to November 14, 2026.
Industry-Wide Disruptions
Air India is not the only carrier scaling back operations in the region. Other major airlines have also issued warnings and cancellations:
IndiGo
IndiGo has extended the cancellation of all flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 31, 2026. This follows a previous announcement where flights to Riyadh were cancelled until October 31, and other cities until October 27. The airline stated that its decisions are guided by a careful assessment of the security situation and close coordination with relevant authorities.
Akasa Air
Akasa Air has also extended its suspensions, with flights to Jeddah cancelled until November 10 and services to Riyadh suspended until November 30.
Government Support
Given the widespread disruption to air travel, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has issued a detailed advisory to provide support and guidance to Indian nationals currently in the region.
Dedicated support teams from the airlines are currently assisting affected passengers through their call centers and city booking offices.