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Air travel to Saudi Arabia is facing major disruption after authorities extended the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport until October 17, 2026.
Indian and international airlines have suspended or cancelled services on several Saudi routes following security incidents that raised concerns about the safety of airport operations and regional airspace.
The closure has affected travel plans for passengers flying to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations.
Airlines are reviewing their schedules as authorities assess airport safety and operational readiness.
Indian Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions
IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air have announced cancellations affecting services to and from several Saudi cities. IndiGo suspended flights connecting Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17. Air India also cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah through the same date, while Akasa Air extended the suspension of its Riyadh and Jeddah services.
The decisions follow a series of security incidents involving aviation facilities in Saudi Arabia. Authorities have extended the airport closure to allow safety assessments and related procedures to be completed before operations can resume.
IndiGo stated in its travel advisory, “Your safety and well-being remain our top priority.”
The airline said it was coordinating with the relevant authorities and sharing updates with affected passengers through the contact details provided during booking.
The airlines have advised travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. Passengers should also review the latest advisories directly from their respective carriers, as cancellation dates and available alternatives may differ by route.
Refunds and Rescheduling for Affected Passengers
The flight suspensions have created uncertainty for passengers travelling for work, family visits, tourism and religious purposes. Travellers with confirmed bookings may need to adjust their itineraries or postpone their journeys until services resume.
Akasa Air has offered affected passengers the option of a full refund or rescheduling without additional charges. The airline said eligible refunds would be credited to the original payment method within seven days. Passengers who booked through travel agents have been advised to contact their booking partners for assistance.
Air India has also offered full refunds for cancelled flights, while IndiGo has directed passengers to its official channels for flight information and support.
International Travel Faces Continued Uncertainty
The disruption extends beyond Indian carriers. Several international airlines have also altered or suspended services to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations in response to the security situation. These changes may affect connecting itineraries and travellers using Saudi airports as part of longer international journeys.
The airport closure is currently scheduled to continue until October 17, but that date should not be treated as a guarantee that all flights will resume immediately. Airlines will need to assess official updates and operational conditions before confirming their schedules.
For travellers, the immediate priority is to verify bookings, monitor airline communications and avoid travelling to the airport without confirmation of flight status. Those with onward connections should also check whether changes to one flight affect the rest of their itinerary.
The coming days will be important in determining when normal air connectivity can return. Until authorities confirm that airport operations can safely resume, passengers should remain prepared for further schedule changes and follow official travel advisories.
