The two airlines had earlier cancelled services to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, while flights to Jeddah were suspended until October 31. Air India announced the decision on Friday, citing the prevailing situation in the region.
Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia until November 14 amid growing unrest in West Asia. Earlier, IndiGo cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14. Akasa Air also announced suspension of flights connecting Riyadh until November 30 and Jeddah until November 10. The two airlines had earlier cancelled services to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, while flights to Jeddah were suspended until October 31. Passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30 for travel up to November 14 can avail themselves of a one-time complimentary rebooking, subject to availability. They can reschedule their journeys for travel up to November 29 or opt for a full refund upon cancellation.
Saudi Arabia has previously reported intercepting missiles and drones headed towards Mecca and Medina.
“Due to the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 14 November 2026 (inclusive),” Air India said in a post on X. “Air India guests may rebook to or from any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia, while Air India Express guests may rebook to or from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain,” the airline said. Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted in the region surrounding the city. He said the group’s military operations were aimed at Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
The extension covers services connecting Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. The flight suspensions come amid heightened security concerns in West Asia, with Saudi Arabia reporting fresh Houthi activity. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. However, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied carrying out any operation targeting Mecca. The Houthis have repeatedly denied targeting either city. Tensions have also affected regional shipping.
Air India announced the decision on Friday, citing the prevailing situation in the region. On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. A tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after a small boat attached two explosives to its hull while it was transiting the waterway, the British military said on Friday. The blasts on Thursday triggered a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabled the vessel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the tanker was sailing about 46 kilometres northeast of Khasab, Oman. UKMTO said earlier this month that October had already become the busiest month for reported attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since March, during the opening months of the Iran war. The crew was safe and there was no environmental impact. The vessel was not identified, and no group was blamed for the attack. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also claimed on Thursday that three oil tankers had struck mines while attempting to leave the strait through an unauthorised route.