Over 4,000 Indian Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia Following Flight Disruptions

Over 4,000 Indian pilgrims are currently stranded in Saudi Arabia following the disruption and cancellation of flights by major carriers, prompting calls for immediate government intervention. The flight suspensions come in the wake of recent security incidents in the region, including a Houthi rebel attack that targeted Dammam airport and resulted in two fatalities, including an Indian citizen.

Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted the situation on Thursday through social media, stating that pilgrims are stuck in Mecca and Medina after Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo cancelled their operations. Owaisi urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to permit airlines to operate larger aircraft to facilitate the return of the stranded citizens, alleging that the pilgrims had been abandoned by their travel agents.

In response to the flight suspensions by Indian carriers, Saudi carriers continue to operate services from Dammam, Medina, and Jeddah. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to ensure the early return of the affected individuals.

According to the MEA, approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled back to India on available flights over the past week. This figure is in addition to more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims who were booked on available flights and have successfully returned during the same period. Authorities are currently discussing further arrangements to facilitate the repatriation of all remaining pilgrims at the earliest.

To manage the situation, the Indian embassy and consulate, alongside support from community volunteers, are extending welfare assistance to those affected. Dedicated control rooms have been established, and regular advisories are being issued to assist Indian nationals residing in or visiting the region.

"This situation highlights the critical importance of robust contingency planning in international travel, logistics, and airline operations, especially during geopolitical crises. For businesses and service providers operating across borders, sudden disruptions underline the need for rapid coordination between corporate entities, regulatory bodies like the DGCA, and diplomatic missions to ensure safety and operational resilience." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes