IndiGo Saudi Arabia Flights Cancelled Until 31 October for Riyadh and 27 October for Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah

IndiGo Saudi Arabia flights will stay grounded for at least another week. On 23 October 2026 IndiGo said its flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until 31 October inclusive, and its Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights until 27 October inclusive, citing the security situation after a string of drone and missile attacks on Saudi airports.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh repeated the new dates on X the same day. For the many Indian families who fly home through these four cities, this is the second time this month that IndiGo has pushed its return date back.

What changed for IndiGo Saudi Arabia flights

IndiGo pushed its cancellations back again, and Riyadh now has a later date than the other three cities. The airline first cancelled Saudi services to 17 October, then to 24 October, and has now split the dates.

Akasa Air set its 27 October date on 18 October. Air India and Air India Express announced 24 October on 17 October and, as of Friday evening, had not published a newer date. One expat news site has reported later Akasa dates of 10 November for Jeddah and 30 November for Riyadh. We could not find that in any airline notice or news report, so treat it as unconfirmed.

The latest extension follows an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday that killed one Indian national and injured two, according to Indian officials quoted by PTI. An earlier attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October also killed an Indian national.

Who is affected

Anyone holding an IndiGo, Akasa or Air India ticket between India and Saudi Arabia in the next two weeks. That includes workers returning from leave, families on visit visas, and Umrah pilgrims. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said its missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators to bring stranded pilgrims home.

Gulf carriers are disrupted too. Emirates has cancelled Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam flights to 25 October, flydubai to 29 October, and Oman Air and SalamAir have Riyadh off until 31 October.

What expats should do now

1. Check the booking contact details. IndiGo says it is contacting passengers through the phone number and email used at booking. If a relative or agent booked for you, make sure their details are current. Agent bookings must be changed through the agent.
2. Know your refund options. Akasa offers a full refund to the original payment method within seven days, or a free date change. Air India and Air India Express give tickets issued on or before 15 October, for travel between 9 and 25 October, one free date change to travel up to 10 November, or a full refund.
3. Consider another Gulf airport only if you hold the visa. Air India Express lets affected passengers fly from cities such as Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait or Muscat, subject to seats. You arrange the onward transport and any transit visa yourself.
4. Watch your exit re-entry visa. If you are stuck in India, check its expiry on Absher now. An extension while you are outside the Kingdom has to go through your employer, so ask early rather than in the last week.
5. Check the airport before you leave home. Flight status and airport notices from the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the airlines change quickly. In practice, the dates above have moved every few days.

What has not changed

None of these notices changes visa or iqama rules, and the airlines have not said the routes are closed for good. They are rolling suspensions reviewed every few days. The Indian Embassy’s advice also still stands: follow Saudi authorities’ instructions, take shelter indoors during an aerial attack, and do not film or share videos of interceptions or impact sites.

If your trip falls after 31 October, keep the booking for now but check it again the week before you travel.