New Delhi: Air India and Air India Express have imposed restrictions on flights to Saudi Arabia. According to a travel advisory issued by the airlines on Friday, flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah have been temporarily suspended until various specified dates. This decision comes in view of the security situation in the region and continued disruptions in air traffic. As a result, Indian travelers, including expatriates, planning to travel to Saudi Arabia will need to revise their travel plans.
According to the airlines’ notice, services to Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 30, 2026, while services to Jeddah will be suspended until November 21, 2026. Restrictions also apply to return flights from these cities to India. Further actions regarding the resumption of services will be taken after assessing the security situation.
The airlines have announced special concessions for passengers affected by the suspension of services. These concessions apply to eligible passengers who have confirmed their ticket bookings on or before November 10, 2026, and have scheduled travel during the period affected by the service restrictions. Such passengers will have the option to change their travel dates without additional charges, subject to seat availability on the new dates. For those choosing to cancel their travel plans entirely, full refunds will be provided.
The aim of these measures is to minimize the financial difficulties faced by passengers due to the unexpected suspension of flights. According to the updated notices from Air India and Air India Express, flight services to Riyadh and Dammam will not be available until November 30. Consequently, passengers returning to India from these cities will also be affected. Meanwhile, services to and from Jeddah have been suspended until November 21. Since the resumption dates differ across the three cities, travelers have been advised to pay close attention.
Passengers are also advised to verify the current status and timing of their flights through official airline websites or customer service centers before departing for the airport.
The disruption in Saudi Arabia-bound flights is not limited to the Air India group alone. Reports indicate that other Indian airlines have adjusted their services considering the regional security environment. For example, according to a notice issued by IndiGo on November 10, flights to Jeddah and Medina have been suspended until November 21. Additionally, Akasa Air announced on Thursday that all services to Riyadh and Jeddah will remain suspended until November 30.
The simultaneous control of services by multiple airlines is expected to impact travel facilities between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly affecting those who have planned trips for employment, family visits, or other urgent matters, who may need to seek alternative travel routes.
Meanwhile, the Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility on Friday for drone and missile attacks targeting various sites in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco installations in Riyadh, a military cargo plane at Sharurah Airport, and an air base at Khamis Mushait. In response, the Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting and destroying drones detected in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia and near Riyadh. These claims and countermeasures have heightened concerns over air traffic security in the region.
Airlines have cited the priority for the safety of passengers and crew as the reason for altering flight schedules. It is crucial for those planning to travel to or from Saudi Arabia and India to monitor the latest advisories issued by the airlines. Travel restrictions and resumption dates may change depending on the evolving security situation.
For details on ticket rebooking, cancellations, and refunds, passengers should refer to the official websites of the concerned airlines or their authorized booking agents.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
