An Air India flight travelling from Delhi to Riyadh returned to the national capital on Thursday, October 8, amid heightened security concerns after Yemen’s Houthi group claimed a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
Flight AI2243 departed Delhi at around 2.40 pm and returned at approximately 6.45 pm after spending nearly two hours in the air. Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air suspended or cancelled several services to and from Riyadh as the situation developed.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed missiles targeting Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, while Saudi authorities had not independently confirmed the Houthis’ claim that a missile had struck Riyadh airport. The developments disrupted air travel and prompted calls for caution among Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia.
Flight Returns Amid Safety Concerns
Air India flight AI2243, operating from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, returned to Delhi after the crew became aware of the developing security situation. The aircraft had taken off at approximately 2.40 pm on Thursday and turned back while en route to the Saudi capital. It landed safely in Delhi at around 6.45 pm, according to reports citing airport sources. The flight was subsequently cancelled, with Air India offering affected passengers full refunds, according to the airline’s reported communication.
The decision came amid reports of missile activity in and around Riyadh, including claims by Yemen’s Houthi movement that it had targeted the Saudi capital’s airport. The return of the aircraft highlighted the challenges airlines face when security conditions change while a flight is already in the air. Passenger and crew safety remained the immediate concern, although the precise operational details surrounding the turnaround were not fully disclosed publicly.
Air India subsequently suspended its flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the evolving situation in the region. Air India Express also cancelled its Riyadh services during the same period and said affected passengers would be offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund. These measures were intended to minimise risks while the security situation remained uncertain.
Airlines Suspend Riyadh Services
The disruption extended beyond Air India. IndiGo cancelled several services connecting Indian cities with Riyadh, while Akasa Air cancelled its Kochi–Riyadh and Riyadh–Kochi flights on Thursday. IndiGo also cancelled its Delhi–Riyadh service and made other operational changes, including diverting a Hyderabad–Riyadh flight to Dammam, according to reports. The airlines said they were responding to the developing situation, with further operational decisions dependent on security assessments.
The scale of the disruption reflected Riyadh’s importance as an international aviation hub and a destination for Indian travellers, including workers, business travellers and families visiting relatives. According to aviation data cited by Business Standard, 169 of 378 scheduled departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by Thursday afternoon.
Such widespread cancellations can leave passengers facing delays, missed connections, additional accommodation expenses and uncertainty about when they can resume their journeys. Travellers were advised to check directly with their airlines for updated schedules, refund options and rebooking arrangements rather than travelling to airports without confirming their flight status.
The Lufthansa Group also suspended its Riyadh services until October 16, according to Reuters, reflecting concerns extending beyond Indian carriers. However, the duration of individual suspensions differed between airlines, making it important for passengers to follow the latest announcements from their respective operators rather than assume that all services would resume at the same time.
Houthis Claim Attack
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting King Khalid International Airport on Thursday. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said a ballistic missile had been launched towards the airport and claimed that it had reached its intended target, causing damage and disrupting air traffic. However, the claim could not be independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not confirmed that a missile had struck the airport.
In a separate development, the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government said its forces had intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles on Thursday. Coalition spokesperson Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said two missiles were heading towards Riyadh, while another was directed towards Khamis Mushait, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Civil Defence also reported material damage to a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex in Riyadh caused by falling debris from an intercepted missile. These statements indicated that the threat was not limited to a single location, although the reported damage and the Houthis’ claims concerning the airport need to be distinguished from independently confirmed facts.
The developments followed a series of Houthi-claimed missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi infrastructure. The group had also warned aviation companies against operating in Saudi airspace, raising concerns about the safety of commercial flights. The escalating situation prompted India to issue an advisory urging its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, exercise caution, stay indoors when necessary and follow instructions issued by Saudi authorities through official channels.
The advisory underscored the importance of reliable information and precautionary measures for people living and working in the kingdom.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The return of an Air India flight amid security concerns is a reminder that armed conflicts have consequences far beyond the battlefield. When airports and civilian infrastructure become vulnerable to attacks, ordinary people — including passengers, migrant workers, families and airport employees — face uncertainty and disruption without necessarily having any connection to the conflict itself. While airlines must prioritise passenger and crew safety, governments and international stakeholders must also work towards preventing further escalation and protecting civilian lives.
Claims of attacks should be investigated carefully, and verified information must guide public communication to prevent unnecessary panic and misinformation. Military responses and retaliatory threats may deepen insecurity, while diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international humanitarian principles offer a more constructive path towards lasting stability.
The safety of civilians must remain central to every decision, regardless of political differences or competing claims. How can countries strengthen civilian protection and pursue dialogue to prevent regional conflicts from disrupting ordinary lives and international travel?
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