Air India and Air India Express Continue Suspension of Saudi Arabia Flights Through October 20.

 Air India, Air India Express Extend Saudi Flight Suspension Until October 20

Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights connecting India with three major Saudi Arabian cities until October 20, 2026, as ongoing regional security concerns continue to affect aviation operations.

The restrictions apply to services operating to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Both airlines said they were monitoring developments and reviewing operational conditions before deciding when services could safely return to normal.

The latest extension could affect passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia, including those with existing bookings. Travellers whose flights have been cancelled will be offered options to minimise disruption, with Air India providing full refunds and Air India Express allowing eligible passengers to reschedule without additional charges or request a refund.

Passengers have been advised to check their flight status directly with their airline and confirm the latest arrangements before leaving for the airport.

## Airlines Continue Monitoring the Regional Situation

Air India said it was keeping a close watch on developments in the region and assessing the situation to determine when its services could resume safely.

The airline confirmed that customers affected by the cancellations would be entitled to full refunds under the arrangements announced for the disrupted flights.

Air India Express separately confirmed that it had extended the suspension of its Saudi Arabian services through October 20. The carrier cited the changing regional situation as the reason for continuing the restrictions.

Passengers booked on affected Air India Express flights can choose between complimentary rescheduling and a full refund if they decide to cancel their bookings.

The two airlines have encouraged customers to remain alert for further announcements, as operational decisions may depend on how the security situation develops.

Travellers should rely on official airline notifications for information about individual bookings, revised departure times and available alternatives.

## Thousands of Saudi Arabia Flights Affected by Disruptions

The extension comes amid significant disruption to air traffic across Saudi Arabia following reported attacks on airports in the kingdom.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 4,000 scheduled departures from Saudi Arabian airports were cancelled or did not operate between October 8 and October 15.

Cirium’s figures showed that around 46 per cent of the 8,883 departures scheduled during the eight-day period were affected, underlining the scale of the disruption to regional air travel.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport experienced particularly severe interruptions on October 15. Of the 366 departures scheduled that day, 298 were affected, representing more than 81 per cent of the total.

Other major Saudi airports also recorded cancellations.

At Dammam, 60 of the 131 scheduled departures on October 15 were cancelled or otherwise affected. Jeddah recorded 87 affected departures out of 385 scheduled flights.

The figures illustrate the pressure on aviation operations across the kingdom and the challenges airlines face when assessing whether routes can operate safely and reliably.

Passengers travelling through these airports may therefore need to allow for changes to their itineraries and check with their airlines for the latest information.

## Previous Flight Restrictions Extended

The latest announcements follow an earlier advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

On October 13, the embassy informed Indian travellers that Air India and Air India Express had suspended flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 17.

The airlines have now extended those restrictions by a further three days, through October 20.

Other Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have also announced temporary suspensions affecting services to Saudi Arabia, according to the supplied report.

The Indian Embassy advised Indian nationals to maintain contact with their airlines and confirm flight schedules before setting out for the airport.

The continuing changes highlight the importance of checking travel arrangements shortly before departure, particularly for passengers with connecting flights, time-sensitive commitments or onward journeys.

Travellers should also confirm whether their original booking remains valid or whether they need to select a replacement flight.

## What Passengers With Cancelled Flights Need to Know

Customers affected by the extended suspension have different options depending on which airline issued their ticket.

**Air India passengers:** Travellers whose flights have been cancelled can request a full refund under the airline’s announced arrangements.

**Air India Express passengers:** Eligible customers can choose complimentary rescheduling or request a full refund if they cancel their booking.

Passengers should contact the airline or use its official digital channels to confirm the options available for their particular ticket. They should also check any updated instructions concerning refunds, rebooking and revised travel dates.

Air India Express has directed customers to its official website, airindiaexpress.com, for assistance and has asked passengers to ensure that their contact information is up to date.

Keeping a valid telephone number and email address linked to a booking can help travellers receive important notifications about cancellations, revised schedules and other operational changes.

Passengers are also advised not to assume that a previously issued ticket guarantees departure on the original date. They should verify the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.

## Airlines Await Conditions for Resuming Services

Air India and Air India Express said they would continue reviewing developments before restoring normal operations on the affected routes.

The extension affects connections to three important Saudi cities: Riyadh, the kingdom’s capital; Jeddah, a major gateway for travellers heading to the western region; and Dammam, an important destination in the east.

For passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia, the continuing suspension means that flexibility and timely communication with airlines remain essential.

Those with upcoming bookings should check for new announcements, review available rebooking options and confirm the status of their journeys directly with their carrier.

Until further updates are issued, travellers should follow official guidance and avoid relying on older flight schedules when making arrangements to reach the airport.