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, 2026, amid security concerns in West Asia following reported attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The airlines said the decision was taken in view of the prevailing situation and emphasised passenger and crew safety.
The extension is likely to affect travellers with work, family, business and other commitments in the region. To reduce the disruption, eligible passengers can change their travel dates once without an additional charge, explore alternative departure points in the Gulf region, or seek a full refund if they no longer wish to travel. The airlines have advised affected customers to contact their customer service teams or booking offices for assistance.
Flight Suspensions Extended
The Air India Group’s latest decision extends the disruption beyond the earlier suspension period, which was due to end on October 17. In a travel advisory, Air India stated, “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.” The airline acknowledged that the cancellations could affect passengers’ travel plans and said it was committed to providing flexibility during the disruption.
The three destinations serve different categories of travellers, including Indian workers employed in Saudi Arabia, families travelling between the two countries, business passengers and people undertaking religious journeys. With flights suspended across these routes, passengers may have to reconsider their itineraries, arrange alternative connections or postpone their trips.
The airline has said it is monitoring developments and will keep passengers informed of further changes. Customers are advised to check the status of their specific flights directly with the airline before leaving for the airport, rather than relying on earlier booking confirmations.
Refunds And Rebooking Options
Air India and Air India Express have announced relief measures for eligible passengers whose plans have been affected. Passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 15, with travel dates between October 9 and October 25, can opt for a one-time complimentary change of travel date for journeys up to November 10. Those who do not wish to travel on their originally booked route may also explore rebooking from an alternative station in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region served by the respective airline, subject to availability.
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled can choose a full refund if they decide not to travel. The airlines have advised affected customers to contact their respective customer care centres or visit booking offices in India and Gulf countries for assistance with refunds and alternative arrangements. These measures are particularly important for passengers who may have connecting journeys, employment commitments or family responsibilities that cannot easily be postponed.
However, alternative routes may not be suitable for everyone, and travellers should confirm the availability, timings and conditions of any replacement itinerary before making arrangements. The airlines have not announced a guaranteed resumption date before October 24, and services remain subject to further security assessments.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The suspension of flights underlines how regional conflicts can disrupt ordinary lives far beyond the immediate areas affected by violence. For Indian workers living in Saudi Arabia, families separated by international borders and passengers travelling for urgent personal reasons, a cancelled flight can mean uncertainty, additional expenses and emotional strain.
While airlines must place passenger and crew safety above commercial considerations, timely communication and accessible refunds are equally important during such disruptions. Travellers deserve clear information about cancellations, rebooking conditions and the possible resumption of services, without having to navigate confusing or inconsistent updates. Governments and relevant authorities must continue to prioritise civilian safety, diplomatic engagement and efforts to prevent further escalation.
Attacks that threaten civilian infrastructure and place lives at risk only deepen insecurity and make regional stability harder to achieve. Peaceful dialogue and cooperation remain essential to protecting communities, livelihoods and essential connections between countries. As the situation develops, how can airlines and governments better support ordinary travellers caught in the middle of regional conflicts while working towards a safer and more peaceful future?
#TravelAdvisory 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. 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. 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. Our teams are available through our contact centres (AI Contact Centre: +91 1169329333 / +91 1169329999, AIX Contact Centre: +91 124 6935600) and city booking offices in GCC stations and India to assist with rebooking and refund requests. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will keep guests informed of any further updates. Our priority remains to support affected guests, minimise inconvenience, and help them continue their journeys with suitable travel options.
— Air India (@airindia) October 17, 2026
