Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express have extended their suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia until November 14, 2026, the latest sign that airlines are treating the kingdom's airspace as unsafe while missile and drone attacks on Saudi infrastructure continue.

The two carriers announced the extension on Friday, October 30, in a fresh travel advisory posted on X. Services connecting Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will now remain suspended until November 14 inclusive, replacing earlier deadlines that would have seen some routes resume within days. The New Indian Express reported that the decision was driven by what the airlines described only as "the prevailing situation in the region".

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What the extension covers

The new advisory pushes back two separate deadlines set earlier in October. Under the previous announcement, flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam were suspended until November 7, while services to Jeddah were due to resume after October 31. The October 30 update aligns all three cities on a single date — November 14 — effectively grounding the India–Saudi network of both carriers for at least another two weeks.

"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)," the airline said in its statement, according to Mathrubhumi.

The three cities are among the busiest corridors between India and the Gulf. Jeddah is the gateway for pilgrims travelling for Umrah, while Riyadh and Dammam serve large Indian expatriate communities working in the kingdom. A suspension spanning all three at once therefore affects not just tourists but workers, families and pilgrims — a point that has sharpened the practical consequences of a security crisis that began as a military confrontation.

Rebooking and refund options

Passengers holding confirmed tickets issued on or before October 30 for travel up to November 14 have been offered a choice: a one-time complimentary rebooking, subject to seat availability, for travel up to November 29, or a full refund if they cancel.

Air India passengers may rebook to or from any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia, while Air India Express passengers may rebook to or from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain. The distinction matters because the two carriers serve partly different Saudi airports, and Bahrain has emerged as a nearby alternative gateway for some travellers.

The airlines have advised affected passengers to stay in regular contact with their airline, travel agent or Umrah service provider for updates on cancellations, refunds and rebooking — a recognition that, with the security situation still fluid, the November 14 date itself could move again.

Other Indian carriers follow suit

Air India is not acting alone. IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14, while Akasa Air has suspended services connecting Riyadh until November 30 and Jeddah until November 10, according to The New Indian Express.

The near-identical dates across competing carriers suggest a shared risk assessment rather than a commercial decision by any single airline — and they point to a broader industry judgement that Saudi airports cannot yet be treated as routinely safe.

Why airlines are staying away

The suspensions come against a backdrop of escalating attacks on Saudi targets claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement. The group has repeatedly claimed missile and drone strikes against Saudi airports, energy installations and other critical infrastructure, and has warned airlines against operating in Saudi airspace, declaring it a military operations zone.

The deadliest recent incident came on October 10, when a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities, as reported by The Daily Pioneer. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed on October 23 that the group had targeted the same airport again, along with energy infrastructure, refineries and other aviation and military facilities across the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has also reported fresh interceptions in recent days. On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a drone near Mecca, Islam's holiest city — a claim the Houthis denied, saying they had carried out no operation targeting Mecca. The exchange illustrates how contested the facts on the ground remain, even as airlines vote with their schedules.

The aviation disruption is part of a wider regional security crisis that has already touched diplomacy and shipping. The United States has ordered some diplomatic staff to leave Saudi Arabia amid the strikes, and Saudi air defences have repeatedly intercepted missiles and drones heading towards Riyadh and other cities. For related coverage, see our earlier reporting on Saudi Arabia intercepting Houthi missiles over Riyadh, Houthi warnings of further attacks on Saudi targets and the US decision to withdraw diplomats from Saudi Arabia.

Consular help for stranded travellers

With thousands of passengers affected, India's consulate in Jeddah has stepped up assistance, operating round-the-clock control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah to help stranded travellers with cancellations, refunds and rebooking, according to Mathrubhumi.

For pilgrims in particular, the timing is painful: Umrah travel peaks in the cooler months, and Jeddah is the principal arrival point for the holy cities. Consular officials have urged affected passengers to keep in touch with their airlines and travel providers rather than travelling to airports on speculation.

Whether November 14 holds will depend on events far beyond any airline's control. Until the attacks on Saudi infrastructure stop — or until carriers judge the risk acceptable again — the India–Saudi air corridor, one of the world's busiest labour and pilgrimage routes, will remain effectively closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Air India flights are suspended?

Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia are suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive.

What can affected passengers do?

Passengers with confirmed tickets issued on or before October 30 for travel up to November 14 can choose a one-time free rebooking for travel up to November 29, subject to availability, or a full refund on cancellation.

Are other airlines also suspending Saudi flights?

Yes. IndiGo has cancelled services to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14, while Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh services until November 30 and Jeddah services until November 10.

Why have the flights been suspended?

The airlines cite the prevailing security situation in the region, amid repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and infrastructure, including a deadly October 10 strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.