Air India Suspends Saudi Flights Until October 24

Air India and Air India Express Route Suspensions

Air India and Air India Express have implemented a temporary suspension of all flights operating to and from Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. The service pause is currently scheduled to remain in effect until October 24, 2026. The airlines cited the prevailing security situation in West Asia as the primary driver for the decision, noting heightened risks including missile and drone activity directed at regional infrastructure, specifically mentioning King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

While the carriers confirmed that no direct flights operate between Hyderabad and these Saudi destinations, the suspension impacts passengers booked on connecting services through the airline's network. The airlines 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. We understand that these disruptions may affect our guests’ travel plans and are committed to providing as much flexibility as possible during this period.”

Passenger Rebooking and Compensation Policies

To mitigate the impact on travelers, the airlines have introduced a one-time complimentary date change policy. This waiver applies to passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 15, 2026, for travel scheduled between October 9 and October 25, 2026. Eligible guests may reschedule their flights for travel up to November 10, 2026.

Alternatively, passengers may opt to rebook their travel to or from different stations within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region served by the respective airline. For Air India, this includes options to rebook through Dubai or Doha. Air India Express has provided a broader list of alternative arrival and departure points, including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Salalah, or Sharjah.

The airlines noted that passengers choosing to rebook to an alternative station are responsible for their own travel arrangements to the new departure point and must ensure they meet all relevant visa and entry requirements for their destination. Additionally, passengers whose flights have been cancelled may elect to receive a full refund rather than rebook their travel. The airlines are currently communicating specific cancellation and rebooking details directly to affected passengers.