Flying to Saudi Arabia this week? Check your booking before you leave for the airport. Indian airlines have suspended flights to Saudi cities over the “evolving security situation” — and passengers can claim a full refund or a free reschedule. The India Saudi flights cancelled October 2026 list covers three carriers: Air India, IndiGo and Akasa.
Updated: October 17, 2026, 09:59 AM IST
Quick Read
- Air India + Air India Express: All flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah suspended till October 20, 2026. Full refund or complimentary rescheduling, per IANS (October 16).
- IndiGo: Cancelled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah till October 24 — four days longer than Air India.
- Akasa Air: Riyadh suspended till October 24, Jeddah till October 21. Refund or reschedule offered on both.
India Saudi flights cancelled October 2026: airline-by-airline status
The trigger is the security situation in Saudi Arabia, where Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities and an industrial city have pushed airlines to pull schedules. Here’s exactly where each Indian carrier stands, based on IANS reporting from October 16:
| Airline | Saudi cities hit | Suspended till | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India + Air India Express | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah | October 20, 2026 | Full refund or complimentary rescheduling |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | October 24, 2026 | Flights cancelled; check airline for rebooking/refund |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh | October 24, 2026 | Refund or rescheduling |
| Akasa Air | Jeddah | October 21, 2026 | Refund or rescheduling |
Also read: Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport: are Indians affected?
One thing most reports bury: the dates don’t line up across airlines. IndiGo and Akasa’s Riyadh suspensions run till October 24 — four days beyond Air India’s October 20 cutoff. If you’re booked on IndiGo or Akasa, assume the disruption lasts longer, and don’t plan around October 20 as the all-clear date. Airlines are reviewing the situation daily and dates can extend.
Air India has asked passengers to follow its advisories on X for the latest updates. Do the same for the other two carriers: check the airline’s app or X handle before heading to the airport.
Your passenger rights: the checklist
If your flight is cancelled, here’s what to do — in order:
- Don’t accept a voucher if you want cash. You’re entitled to a full refund to the original payment method. A travel voucher or credit shell is optional, not mandatory.
- No cancellation fee applies. When the airline cancels, any change or cancellation charge is off the table — the refund must be for the full ticket value.
- Rescheduling is free. If you’d rather fly later, rebooking on the next available flight to the same destination should cost nothing extra.
- Keep your PNR and booking reference. Screenshot everything — the cancellation notice, your original ticket, any rebooking offer.
- Check your connecting flights. If you booked a separate onward ticket (say, Riyadh to another Gulf city), that leg won’t auto-refund. Contact that airline separately.
- Booked through an agent or website? The refund goes back through them — it takes longer. Follow up in writing and keep the trail.
- Travel insurance counts. If you bought it, a cancelled flight due to a security situation is typically covered — file the claim with your airline’s cancellation proof.
Also read: Houthi strikes on Saudi oil sites: how exposed is India?
This matters to a lot of people. About 27.5 lakh Indians live and work in Saudi Arabia, and with Diwali (November 8) approaching, October is peak travel season for families flying home and back. A cancelled Riyadh or Jeddah flight right now isn’t just an inconvenience — it can mean missed connections, lost hotel bookings, and leave days wasted.
What happens next is straightforward: watch the airline advisories. The October 20 and 24 dates are the current cutoffs, not promises — if the security situation doesn’t improve, expect extensions. Don’t rebook for the day after the cutoff and assume you’ll fly.
Also read: Trump waives 100% tariff threat: what the order says for India
FAQs
How do I get my refund for a cancelled Saudi flight?
Apply through the airline’s website or app using your PNR — Air India and Akasa have confirmed full refunds or free rescheduling. If you booked via an agent, the refund comes back through them and takes longer.
Can I reschedule my flight for free?
Yes. All three airlines are offering complimentary rescheduling on cancelled Saudi routes. Pick new dates on the airline’s app — don’t pay any fare difference the system wrongly adds; call it out.
What if my flight is on October 21 or later?
Air India’s suspension ends October 20, but IndiGo and Akasa run till October 24 (Riyadh). Check your specific airline and route — and keep watching advisories, because dates can extend.
