IndiGo has extended its suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia amid regional security concerns, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Friday.
The extension comes as drone and missile strikes continue against Saudi airports, energy installations and other critical infrastructure. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have waged a prolonged campaign against the country.
“IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh will remain cancelled until 31 October 2026 (inclusive), while flights to and from Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until 27 October 2026 (inclusive),” the embassy said in a post on X.
The latest extension followed a Wednesday attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam that killed an Indian national and injured two others, PTI reported. Another Indian national was injured in a separate attack that day at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field.
Other Indian airlines have extended similar suspensions. Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights on all Saudi Arabia routes until Oct. 24, while Akasa Air has suspended flights on all routes until Oct. 27.
“Indian nationals requiring urgent departure may consider transiting via Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas,” the embassy said earlier.
The disruptions have also affected Indian Umrah pilgrims, prompting the External Affairs Ministry to coordinate with airlines and tour operators to help them return early.
Ministry 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 return of the remaining affected pilgrims as soon as possible, according to PTI.
The missions, supported by community volunteers, are providing welfare assistance and have set up 24-hour control rooms to help Indian nationals. They are also issuing regular advisories because of the security situation.
An earlier attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Oct. 10 killed an Indian national and injured several others, prompting the embassy to issue safety advisories for the Indian community.
The embassy urged Indian nationals to remain alert, follow instructions from Saudi authorities and move to a safe place inside a building during an aerial attack. It also warned against filming or sharing images and videos of interceptions or impact sites, citing possible legal consequences under Saudi law.
Saudi Arabia is home to about 2.74 million Indian nationals working across various sectors. With flight cancellations continuing and Indian nationals affected by recent attacks, the embassy and consulate are assisting travelers and pilgrims while advising the community to follow local safety instructions.
