Air India flights to Saudi cities suspended till October 24 amid Houthi threat

Air India and Air India Express have extended the temporary suspension of flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia until October 24 amid Houthi rebel strikes in the region.

In a travel advisory, Air India said passengers whose tickets were issued on or before October 15 for travel between October 9 and 25 can change their travel date once, free of charge, for travel up to November 10.

"In view of the prevailing situation, Air India and Air India Express have temporarily suspended flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until 24 October 2026. We understand that these disruptions may affect our guests' travel plans and are committed to providing as much flexibility as possible during this period," Air India stated.

Air India said passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 15, 2026, for travel between October 9 and 25, 2026, could opt for a one-time complimentary date change or rebook from an alternative departure station in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, subject to availability.

“Guests holding confirmed Air India or Air India Express bookings issued on or before 15 October 2026, with travel dates between 9 October and 25 October 2026, are eligible for a one-time complimentary date change on their respective airline up to 10 November 2026. Guests who do not wish to rebook on the originally preferred sector for a future date may, instead, choose to rebook from an alternative station in the GCC region served by their respective airline, subject to availability,” the statement read.

Passengers can also rebook flights to or from alternative destinations in West Asia, depending on the airline. Air India customers can choose Dubai or Doha, while Air India Express passengers can rebook to or from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Salalah or Sharjah.

“Guests choosing the latter option are required to make their own travel arrangements to get to their preferred alternative point of departure and meet the applicable visa and entry requirements. Air India guests may rebook to or from Dubai or Doha. Air India Express guests may rebook to or from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Salalah or Sharjah. Guests whose flights have been cancelled may also opt for a full refund if they choose not to travel.”

The disruptions follow the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which took the death toll to 13 after the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that an Indian national injured in the incident had died.

Amid the escalation, Yemen’s internationally recognised government on Friday accused the Houthi militia of targeting Aden International Airport with two missiles that landed near a Yemenia Airlines aircraft preparing to take off for Cairo, according to the country’s Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani.

The Houthis have also warned international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travellers against using Saudi aviation hubs, declaring Saudi airspace unsafe except over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.