Air India, AI Express extend temporary suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia until October 24

Air India and Air India Express have extended their suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia until October 24. Bookings issued before October 15 for specific travel dates can benefit from a complimentary date change. Passengers may also opt for rebooking from alternative locations in the GCC region to minimize travel disruptions. Several airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have similarly suspended operations in Saudi Arabia.

Air India and Air India Express extended their temporary suspension of flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam airports in Saudi Arabia until October 24 amid the Houthi rebels' strikes in the West Asian country.

In a travel advisory issued on Saturday, the Tata-owned carrier said that the bookings issued on or before October 15 with travel dates between October 9 and 25 are eligible for a one-time complimentary date change up to November 10.

Air India said, "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."

"Guests holding confirmed Air India or Air India Express bookings issued on or before 15 October 2026, with travel dates between 9 October and 25 October 2026, are eligible for a one-time complimentary date change on their respective airline up to 10 November 2026. Guests who do not wish to rebook on the originally preferred sector for a future date may, instead, choose to rebook from an alternative station in the GCC region served by their respective airline, subject to availability," the statement read.

The passengers can also opt for a different destination in West Asia, Air India said, adding, "Guests choosing the latter option are required to make their own travel arrangements to get to their preferred alternative point of departure and meet the applicable visa and entry requirements. Air India guests may rebook to or from Dubai or Doha. Air India Express guests may rebook to or from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Salalah or Sharjah. Guests whose flights have been cancelled may also opt for a full refund if they choose not to travel."

"We continue to closely monitor the situation and will keep guests informed of any further updates. Our priority remains to support affected guests, minimise inconvenience, and help them continue their journeys with suitable travel options," Air India said.

Several airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have also announced temporary suspension of their operations in Saudi Arabia.

The disruptions come after an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, with the death toll rising to 13 after the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that an Indian national who had been injured in the incident died.

Tensions rise in the GulfAn unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia's Jubail, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a report on Saturday, as cited by Reuters.

The maritime agency confirmed that all crew members were safe and had been evacuated, adding that no environmental impact had been reported.

UKMTO also issued a second report on a tanker attack by a rocket-propelled grenade from a small boat 78 nautical miles northeast of Jubail, damaging its aft port quarter.