Flights to Saudi Arabia Are Being Cancelled Well Into November

Indian carriers have extended their suspensions of flights to Saudi Arabia. Gulf News and Deccan Chronicle report that Air India and Air India Express announced on October 30 that Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam services are cancelled through November 14, up from earlier cutoffs of November 7 for Riyadh and Dammam and October 31 for Jeddah.

IndiGo is cancelling Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Riyadh through November 14, according to Gulf News, though the Deccan Chronicle list omits Riyadh. Akasa Air’s dates run longer: Gulf News, updated November 1, says Jeddah is suspended to November 18 and Riyadh to November 30, while the earlier Deccan Chronicle report gave a shorter Jeddah date, so the later figures are the ones to rely on.

The airlines cite regional security concerns and airspace restrictions. Deccan Chronicle links the situation to attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including airports. Air India offers one free rebooking for tickets issued on or before October 30 for travel up to November 29, or a full refund, and Air India Express can rebook via Bahrain. Akasa offers a full refund within seven days or free rescheduling.

Saudi carrier flynas has added Dammam flights from six Indian cities and Riyadh flights from three on select dates. Umrah pilgrims with affected plans are directed to the Saudi Pilgrim Care Center on 1966. Anyone booked to the kingdom this month should check their airline’s latest notice, since the cancellation windows have already been extended once.

Sources: Gulf News, Deccan Chronicle