Major Indian airlines have extended the suspension of flights connecting India to several cities in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes in response to escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and attacks at airports in the Gulf country.
Air India and Air India Express announced on Saturday that their flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 7. Meanwhile, services connecting to Jeddah will stay suspended through October 31. Previously, these two airlines had cancelled their Saudi Arabian services until October 24.
To assist affected travellers, Air India stated that passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24 can utilise flexible rebooking options. Alternatively, customers can opt for a full refund upon the cancellation of their tickets.
Other domestic carriers have also adjusted their flight schedules. IndiGo announced on Saturday that, following a careful assessment, its services to and from Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah will remain cancelled until October 31. This follows an earlier announcement on Friday regarding the cancellation of Riyadh flights until October 31, while services to the other three cities were initially suspended until October 27.
Akasa Air similarly extended its operational suspensions on Friday. The carrier will halt flights connecting to Riyadh through November 30 and services to Jeddah until November 10.
The ongoing disruptions reflect the immediate operational impact of regional security concerns on international aviation routes, affecting travel schedules for passengers between India and key destinations in Saudi Arabia.
"The extended suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia by major Indian carriers highlights the critical vulnerability of aviation networks to sudden geopolitical developments. For airlines, managing operational continuity while ensuring passenger safety requires swift schedule adjustments and proactive customer service strategies, such as offering seamless refunds and flexible rebooking options. From a broader economic perspective, prolonged disruptions in international transit routes can impact business travel and trade corridors, underscoring the need for robust risk management frameworks in the aviation and tourism sectors." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
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