IndiGo has extended the suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia amid escalating security concerns following reported drone and missile attacks on airports, energy installations and other critical infrastructure. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the revised cancellation schedule on October 23, as authorities continued efforts to assist affected Indian nationals and travellers.
According to the embassy, IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh will remain cancelled until October 31, 2026, inclusive. Flights connecting India with Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain suspended until October 27, inclusive.
The extension follows attacks in Saudi Arabia that have raised concerns about the safety of Indian nationals living and working in the country.
Indian Nationals Killed and Injured in Attacks
The latest disruption follows an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday, in which an Indian national was reportedly killed and two others injured. Another Indian national was injured in a separate attack at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield on the same day.
An earlier attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10 also reportedly killed an Indian national and injured several others.
The incidents have prompted Indian diplomatic missions to issue safety advisories and provide assistance to citizens affected by the deteriorating security situation.
Air India and Akasa Air Also Suspend Flights
IndiGo is not the only airline to have extended flight suspensions. According to the information provided, Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights on all Saudi Arabia routes until October 24, while Akasa Air has suspended flights on all routes until October 27.
The Indian mission had earlier advised nationals requiring urgent departure to consider travelling through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas.
Travellers should confirm their flight status directly with their airlines before proceeding to airports, as schedules may change in response to security developments.
Indian Missions Assist Umrah Pilgrims
Flight disruptions have also affected Indian Umrah pilgrims, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with airlines and tour operators to facilitate their return.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah were engaging with airlines and tour operators to arrange the earliest possible return of remaining affected pilgrims.
The missions, supported by community volunteers, are providing welfare assistance and operating 24-hour control rooms to help Indian nationals.
Embassy Issues Safety Advisory
The Indian Embassy has urged nationals to remain alert, follow instructions issued by Saudi authorities and move to a safe place inside a building during aerial attacks.
It has also cautioned people against filming or sharing images and videos of interceptions or impact sites, warning that such actions could have legal consequences under Saudi law.
Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 2.74 million Indian nationals working across various sectors. With flight suspensions continuing, diplomatic missions are monitoring developments and assisting affected travellers.
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