SRINAGAR: Indian airline IndiGo has extended the suspension of its flights to and from several Saudi Arabian cities amid security concerns, with services to Riyadh cancelled until October 31 and those to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah suspended until October 27, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Friday.
In a post on X, the embassy said the cancellations affecting Riyadh would remain in force until October 31, 2026, inclusive, while flights connecting India with Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah would remain suspended until October 27, inclusive.
The disruptions come amid escalating security threats involving drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s airports, energy facilities and other critical infrastructure.
The latest extension follows an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday that killed an Indian national and injured two others. Another Indian national was injured in a separate attack at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield on the same day.
Other Indian carriers have also suspended services to Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express have halted flights on all routes until October 24, while Akasa Air has suspended its services until October 27.
The Indian Embassy had earlier advised nationals requiring urgent departure to consider travelling through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas.
The disruptions have also affected Indian Umrah pilgrims, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to coordinate with airlines and tour operators to facilitate their return.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah were working with airlines and tour operators to arrange the earliest possible return of the remaining affected pilgrims.
The two missions, assisted by community volunteers, are providing welfare support to Indian nationals and have established round-the-clock control rooms to address their concerns. They are also issuing regular advisories in view of the prevailing security situation.
An earlier attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed an Indian national and injured several others, following which the embassy issued safety advisories for the Indian community.
The embassy has urged Indian nationals to remain vigilant, comply with instructions from Saudi authorities and seek shelter inside a building in the event of an aerial attack.
It has also cautioned them against recording or circulating photographs and videos of intercepted projectiles or impact sites, warning of possible legal consequences under Saudi law.
