Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of their flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia until November 14, 2026, citing the prevailing security situation in the region. The airlines announced the extension in a fresh travel advisory on Friday, October 30, and said affected passengers can either rebook free of charge or claim a full refund.
The new date replaces the earlier schedule under which flights to Riyadh and Dammam were suspended until November 7 and flights to Jeddah were suspended until October 31. The extension therefore adds a full week to the Riyadh and Dammam suspensions and two extra weeks to the Jeddah suspension.
What has changed
In its advisory, Air India said flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive. The wording, shared by the airline on social media, points to the prevailing situation in the region rather than a single incident, and it covers both Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express.
The change matters most for passengers who were counting on services resuming in the first days of November. Anyone holding a ticket for travel to or from the three cities up to November 14 is now covered by the waiver terms set out below, even if their original flight was booked under the earlier, shorter suspension.
Suspension dates at a glance
| City | Suspended until (earlier date) | Suspended until (new date) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah | October 31, 2026 | November 14, 2026 |
| Riyadh | November 7, 2026 | November 14, 2026 |
| Dammam | November 7, 2026 | November 14, 2026 |
The table reflects the dates reported for Air India and Air India Express. Other Indian carriers have set their own dates, which are listed separately below, so passengers should check the airline named on their own ticket rather than assuming one date applies to every carrier.
Refunds and free rebooking: what passengers can do
Passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30, 2026, for travel up to November 14, 2026, have two options. They can take a one-time complimentary rebooking, subject to seat availability, for travel up to November 29, 2026, or they can cancel the booking and opt for a full refund.
Air India passengers may rebook to or from any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia. Air India Express passengers may rebook to or from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain. The airlines said their teams remain available through contact centres and city booking offices to help with rebooking and refund requests.
If you hold an affected ticket, the practical steps are straightforward. First, check the latest flight status before travelling to the airport, since schedules can change again. Second, decide between the free one-time rebooking and the full refund, keeping in mind that rebooked travel must fall on or before November 29 and depends on available seats. Third, keep your booking reference ready when contacting the airline, and if you booked through a travel agent or tour operator, check with them as well, since they may need to process the change on your behalf.
Help for Umrah pilgrims and stranded travellers
The prolonged disruption has also affected Indian nationals travelling to Saudi Arabia, including Umrah pilgrims trying to return home. India’s consulate in Jeddah has stepped up assistance for stranded travellers, with round-the-clock control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah working alongside community organisations and volunteers to coordinate food, essential medicines and other emergency help.
Consular officials are also engaging with Indian airlines over refund concerns and helping Umrah tour operators explore alternative flights to India. Alternative arrangements depend on vacant seats, ticket prices and the policies of individual airlines, so affected passengers have been advised to stay in regular contact with their airlines, travel agents and Umrah service providers for updates on cancellations, refunds and rebooking.
Other Indian airlines: IndiGo and Akasa Air
Air India is not the only Indian carrier adjusting its Saudi schedule. IndiGo has cancelled flights connecting Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until November 14, matching the new Air India end date for the shared cities. Akasa Air has suspended its Jeddah services until November 10 and its Riyadh flights until November 30, the longest Riyadh suspension among the Indian carriers.
The differences underline why the airline on the ticket matters: a passenger booked with IndiGo faces the same November 14 end date for Jeddah and Dammam, while an Akasa Air passenger travelling to Riyadh faces a suspension running to the end of November.
Why the suspensions were extended
The extension comes amid heightened tensions in the region following attacks on Saudi targets, including aviation infrastructure. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed on October 23 that the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, along with energy facilities, refineries and other aviation and military installations across Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition subsequently said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh.
Airlines have responded by keeping services suspended while they reassess passenger safety, and the repeated extensions show how quickly the picture is changing. This latest announcement is the second major revision in a week: the earlier suspension, announced on October 24, was itself a response to the same security concerns, and the November 14 date may yet be revised again if the situation changes.
Related coverage on this developing story
Lhepen has been following the disruption to India-Saudi air travel since the first suspensions. Air India extends its Saudi flight suspensions to November 7 in the earlier announcement, and the picture has since shifted again with Riyadh airport reopening after its two-week closure and Houthi missiles intercepted over the holy cities. Those earlier developments help explain why airlines are still taking a cautious approach to Saudi routes, even as some airport operations resume.
Timeline
- October 23, 2026: Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claims attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other Saudi targets; the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh.
- October 24, 2026: Air India announces suspensions to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7 and to Jeddah until October 31.
- October 25, 2026: Riyadh airport reopens after a two-week closure, even as the wider security threat continues.
- October 30, 2026: Air India and Air India Express issue a fresh advisory extending suspensions to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until November 14, inclusive.
- November 14, 2026: The new suspension end date for all three cities.
- November 29, 2026: The last date for complimentary rebooked travel under the waiver terms.
What happens next
The key date to watch is November 14, when the current suspension expires. If the security situation improves, airlines could restore services or announce a phased return; if it does not, a further extension is possible, as has already happened once this week. Passengers with travel planned for mid-to-late November should therefore treat November 14 as a checkpoint rather than a guaranteed restart date, and check their airline’s advisory again before finalising plans.
For now, the message from the airlines is consistent: do not travel to the airport for a suspended flight, use the free rebooking or full refund options, and keep checking for updates. The waiver terms give affected passengers until November 29 to complete rebooked travel, which provides some flexibility for those who can shift their plans by a couple of weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Are Air India flights to Saudi Arabia suspended until November 14, 2026?
Yes. Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until November 14, 2026, inclusive, according to the advisory issued on October 30.
Which cities are affected by the suspension?
Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. Earlier, Riyadh and Dammam were suspended until November 7 and Jeddah until October 31; all three now run until November 14.
Can I get a full refund for an affected Air India ticket?
Yes. Passengers with confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30, 2026, for travel up to November 14, 2026, can cancel and opt for a full refund, or take a one-time complimentary rebooking instead.
Until when can I rebook my flight for free?
Complimentary rebooked travel must be completed by November 29, 2026, subject to seat availability. Air India passengers can rebook to or from any operational Air India station in Saudi Arabia, while Air India Express passengers can also use operational stations in Bahrain.
Do IndiGo and Akasa Air have the same dates?
Not exactly. IndiGo has cancelled Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights until November 14, while Akasa Air has suspended Jeddah services until November 10 and Riyadh flights until November 30. Always check the airline named on your ticket.
Why were the flights suspended?
The airlines cite the prevailing security situation in the region, following attacks on Saudi targets including aviation infrastructure. The situation is still developing, so the November 14 date could be revised again.
For more on this developing story, see the World section.