Air India News: Riyadh Flights Cancelled Till October 15 Amid Saudi Tensions
Air India News
Air India on Monday extended the suspension of its flights to and from Riyadh until October 15. The decision follows repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia’s capital airport by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
The disruption has affected several other Indian carriers. IndiGo has extended the cancellation of its flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 15. Air India Express has cancelled services to Dammam and Jeddah for October 12 and suspended flights to Riyadh until October 15. Akasa Air has halted flights to Jeddah and Riyadh until October 13.
Saudi authorities have kept Riyadh airport closed for the time being. This follows the strikes and the security threats that came after them. The attacks have also led to restrictions on parts of Saudi airspace. Operations at Riyadh airport have been disrupted, and air traffic over the capital has dropped significantly.
Saudi Arabia said it faced new drone and missile threats on Monday. The Saudi-led coalition backing government forces in Yemen reported the detection of incoming aerial projectiles. There was no immediate information on any damage from the latest barrage.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi airports and energy infrastructure over the past week. The conflict has increasingly spilled across the region. The latest attacks have worsened disruptions, and airlines continue to revise their schedules amid tensions linked to the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.
The continuing uncertainty has forced airlines to put passenger safety and operational security first. As a result, flight cancellations have been extended, and passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia are facing disruption.
Travellers with bookings to Saudi Arabia should check their flight status with the airline before heading to the airport. Passengers whose flights are cancelled can ask the airline for rebooking or a refund. Since the situation is changing quickly, the suspension dates could be extended or changed.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
