Air India, Air India Express extend Riyadh, Dammam flight cancellations till November 7 amid tensions
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New DAir India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights connecting Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia until November 7, 2026, while services to and from Jeddah will remain cancelled until October 31, as escalating geopolitical tensions in the region disrupt air travel.
The airlines announced the decision in a post on social media platform X on Saturday, October 24, citing the prevailing situation in the region.
"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 7 November 2026, while services to and from Jeddah will remain suspended until 31 October 2026," Air India said in the post.
The extension means passengers travelling between India and the three Saudi Arabian cities will have to account for the continued suspension while planning their journeys.
IndiGo, Akasa Air also suspend Saudi services
Air India and Air India Express are not the only Indian carriers to have curtailed operations to Saudi Arabia. IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled flights to Saudi Arabian cities amid rising geopolitical tensions and reported attacks at airports in the Gulf region.
The developments underscore the operational challenges facing airlines as the security situation in West Asia remains volatile. Flight suspensions and changes to operating schedules can affect passenger connectivity, travel plans and airline operations, particularly on routes linking India with key destinations in the Gulf.
Passengers advised to check flight status
With the suspension periods differing by destination, passengers scheduled to fly to or from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah should verify their flight status with the respective airlines before travelling to the airport.
The latest announcement extends the disruption on the Riyadh and Dammam routes beyond the suspension period announced for Jeddah. Further operational decisions will depend on the prevailing situation in the region.
Airlines have been adjusting services as geopolitical tensions and security concerns affect air travel across parts of the Gulf. Passengers should monitor official airline communications for updates on cancellations and the resumption of services.
elhi, Oct 24 (PTI) Air India and Air India Express on Saturday extended the cancellation of their flights connecting Riyadh and Dammam till November 7, while services to Jeddah will remain suspended till October 31.
IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled their services to Saudi Arabian cities amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and attacks at airports in the Gulf country.
"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 7 November 2026, while services to and from Jeddah will remain suspended until 31 October 2026," Air India said in a post on X.
The airline said passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 24 may avail flexible rebooking options or opt for a full refund upon cancellation of their bookings.
Earlier, the two airlines cancelled their services to Saudi Arabia till October 24.
IndiGo on Saturday said that after a careful assessment, flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will also remain cancelled till October 31.
On Friday, the airline announced cancelling services to Riyadh till October 31, while for the other three cities, the cancellation of flights was till October 27.
Akasa Air, on Friday, said it extended the suspension of flights connecting Riyadh till November 30 and to Jeddah till November 10. PTI RAM MPL
MPL