Air India extends suspension of flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until 24 October

what happened

Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until 24 October 2026. The earlier pause was due to end on 17 October. According to Moody's, the decision is linked to Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, although the airline's advisory does not name any specific incident.

Passengers with confirmed bookings made on or before 15 October can change their travel date once without a change fee, with the new date falling up to 10 November. They may also pick another station within the Gulf Cooperation Council region, including Air India flights to Dubai or Doha. Passengers whose flights were cancelled can request a full refund.

IndiGo has extended flight cancellations until 24 October, while Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh services until 24 October and Jeddah services until 21 October. The airlines warn that resumption is not guaranteed and depends on further security assessments.

why it matters

The market effect is mostly indirect. The disruption affects air travel and passenger flows between India and Saudi Arabia, where many Indian workers live. A longer pause could weigh on revenue for airlines on these routes, although the text does not estimate the financial impact.

market impact

Indian airlines: a longer pause on Saudi routes weighs on demand and revenue for these carriers

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