Indian airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to Saudi Arabia after a wave of drone and missile attacks on Saudi airports and energy sites. According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until 31 October, and its Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights until 27 October. Akasa Air has suspended Jeddah flights until 10 November and Riyadh flights until 30 November, The Federal reports, while Air India and Air India Express paused their services until 24 October. Two Indian nationals have been killed in separate attacks on airports in Riyadh and Dammam this month.

The disruption has left Indian pilgrims stuck in Makkah and Madinah. Karnataka’s government says more than 600 Umrah pilgrims from the state are stranded, and 36 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are still waiting for flights home. The Ministry of External Affairs says the embassy and the consulate in Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators to bring them back.

Why it matters

Saudi Arabia is one of the busiest destinations for Indian travellers, from Umrah pilgrims to workers and families visiting relatives. With direct flights paused, some pilgrims say alternative tickets from Jeddah cost more than ₹1 lakh. The embassy has suggested that people who must leave urgently consider travelling via Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to visa rules.

What you can do

  • If you are booked on a cancelled flight, check your airline’s app or website for refund and rebooking options before buying a new ticket.
  • If you are in Saudi Arabia, follow the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah on their official accounts for advisories. Both missions run 24-hour control rooms.
  • During an aerial attack, move to a safe place indoors, and do not film or share videos of interceptions or impact sites. The embassy warns this can break Saudi law.
  • If you are planning Umrah or a family visit in the coming weeks, wait until airlines confirm normal schedules before booking.

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Sources