Indian flights to Saudi Arabia stay grounded as embassy tells citizens to take cover during air attacks

As of Monday, 19 October, no Indian airline is flying to Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express have halted their Saudi services until 20 October and IndiGo until 24 October, while Akasa Air has suspended its Riyadh flights until 24 October and its Jeddah flights until 21 October. The Indian embassy in Riyadh has told Indians in the kingdom to take cover without delay if an aerial attack occurs.

The disruption follows a series of missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and oil facilities. The deadliest, on 10 October at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, was claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels; Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said it killed 12 people and injured 309. The embassy has said one Indian national was among the dead. In its latest hospital update, it said two injured Indians remained in intensive care, one in a high-dependency unit and three in a general ward.

Which airports are working

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is still closed to flights. Jeddah, Dammam and Medina are open, but services there continue to face disruption. Air India said it had “temporarily suspended” operations to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until 20 October. The deadline has already slipped: on 13 October, the embassy listed the Indian carriers’ suspensions as ending on 17 October.

Akasa Air, citing safety, is offering affected passengers a full refund to the original payment method within seven days, or a free change of date. Those who booked through agents should contact them.

What the embassy is asking

In an advisory issued on Sunday, 18 October, the embassy asked Indians to head straight for the closest safe spot during an attack, ideally an inner room of a building with no windows, and to follow the instructions of Saudi authorities. It also asked them not to record, post or forward pictures and videos of the strikes.

For those who must leave urgently, the embassy pointed to Saudia, which flies to India from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, and to Flynas and Flyadeal, which have listed flights from Dammam. Travellers can also route through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar if they hold the visas those countries require. Umrah pilgrims have been told to expect cancellations and longer stays. On 13 October, the embassy said Saudi authorities had assured it that visitors who overstay only because no flights are available may exit without paying fines.

Hyderabad passengers stuck in Jeddah

Telugu travellers felt the impact early. IndiGo flight 6E68 from Jeddah to Hyderabad, scheduled to leave at 10:55 pm on 11 October, was cancelled after passengers had waited about 28 hours. More than 250 passengers were affected, including Umrah pilgrims from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Some passengers said Indian officials they approached told them to go to their tour operators. IndiGo has not commented publicly on the cancellation. It is not clear how many of the group have since reached home.

Helplines

Embassy control room, Riyadh (24×7): +966-554412016 and +966-542126784; toll-free 8002471234 (from within Saudi Arabia only); WhatsApp +966-536216082 (messages only); email cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in. Consulate General, Jeddah: +966-12-2614093 and +966-556122301; WhatsApp +966-536209704. Updates appear on www.eoiriyadh.gov.in and the embassy’s X handle, @IndianEmbRiyadh.

Travellers holding bookings should confirm their flight’s status directly with the airline before setting out.

Also read: From Dubai to Vienna, Telugu families abroad keep Bathukamma and Dasara alive · Vance admits ‘indentured servants’ jibe was poorly put, but green-card freeze on eight tech firms stays · Teen charged over alleged plot to attack Indians at Aurora’s Balaji temple