Big update on flights to Saudi Arabia, Air India canceled flights till November 7; Passengers will get full refund

New Delhi: Amidst the changing security situation in Saudi Arabia, airlines have taken important decisions regarding their flights. Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam till 7 November 2026 and flights to Jeddah till 31 October. At the same time, Indigo has also canceled flights to many cities of Saudi Arabia till October 31. Akasa Air has extended the ban on flights to Jeddah and Riyadh. Affected passengers are being given the option by the airlines to rebook their tickets or take a full refund.

How long will Air India flights remain closed?

Air India and Air India Express said in a joint advisory shared on social media platform X that in view of the current situation in the region, flights to Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended till November 7. At the same time, flights to and from Jeddah will remain closed till October 31. According to the airlines, passengers who booked tickets on or before October 24, 2026, can get a full refund on cancellation of their booking. Apart from this, they are also being given the option to change the date of the ticket without any extra charges. This facility will be available on the basis of fixed conditions and available seats.

Air India passengers will get free re-booking facility

To provide relief to the affected passengers, Air India has provided the facility to re-book tickets once without any extra charges. This is for those passengers who had booked tickets on or before October 24.

1. For travelers from Riyadh and Dammam: Those whose original travel date is up to November 7 can do one free re-booking to and from any of Air India’s operational stations in Saudi Arabia, subject to availability. This facility will be available for travel till 21 November 2026.
2. For travelers to Jeddah: Those whose original travel date is till October 31 can do one free re-booking to and fro any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia. This facility will be available for travel till 14 November 2026.

Air India Express passengers also have the option to travel from Bahrain

Air India Express has announced alternative travel facilities for the affected passengers through Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

1. Riyadh and Dammam: Passengers booking tickets on or before October 24 and traveling till November 7 can do one free re-booking to and from any Air India Express operational station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain to and from India, subject to availability. This facility will be available for travel till 21 November 2026.
2. Jeddah: Passengers booking tickets on or before October 24 and traveling till October 31 will also get the option of one free re-booking to and from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain to and from India. Travel under this facility can be done till 14 November 2026.

The airlines said that special teams have been deployed at booking offices and call centers located in the cities to assist the affected passengers.

Indigo also canceled many flights till 31 October

In view of the security situation in Saudi Arabia, IndiGo has canceled all flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Medina till 31 October 2026. The airline said the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority and it is in touch with the relevant authorities for safe operations. Earlier, Indigo had announced cancellation of flights to Riyadh till 31 October and flights to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah till 27 October. Later, the period of suspension of flights to Jeddah, Dammam and Medina was extended to 31 October.

Akasa Air also extended the ban on flights

Aqasa Air has also extended the ban on its flights amid the changing security situation in Saudi Arabia. The airline said on Friday that flights to and from Jeddah will remain suspended till November 10 and flights to Riyadh till November 30, 2026. Thus, passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia are advised to check their flight status in advance and contact the concerned airline for ticket change or refund.

Important advice for travelers traveling to Saudi Arabia

1. Confirm the latest status of your flight with the concerned airline before booking the ticket.
2. Contact the airline to know eligibility for free re-booking and refund in case of flight cancellation.
3. Umrah pilgrims should seek help from the Indian Consulate in case of problems with accommodation, food or other facilities.
4. Be sure to check seat availability and fare conditions for alternative flights.

Indian Consulate active to help Umrah pilgrims

The Indian Consulate in Jeddah is continuously working to assist Indian citizens, especially Umrah pilgrims, affected by the cancellation of flights. The embassy control rooms in Jeddah and Mecca are active 24 hours a day. With the help of Indian community organizations and volunteers, food, essential medicines and immediate assistance are being provided to the needy passengers. The Embassy is in constant touch with Indian Airlines on ticket refund matters. Also, efforts are being made to connect Indian Umrah tour operators with airlines whose flights to India are currently operational.

The embassy made this appeal to the affected passengers

According to reports, alternative travel arrangements will depend on the availability of seats, fares applicable and the rules of the respective airline. The Embassy has appealed to the affected passengers to remain in touch with their airlines, travel agents and Umrah service providers so that the re-booking and refund process can be completed. The Indian mission said it is coordinating with all concerned parties for the early return of Indian nationals stranded in Saudi Arabia.

Also read: Horrific attack on Saudi Arabia’s airport, two people including an Indian killed, America issues order