Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations 2026: 11 Airlines, Suspension Dates and Refund Rules for Indians
Saudi Arabia flight cancellations 2026: Houthi attacks on Riyadh and Dammam airports triggered the suspension of over 4,000 flights in a week, directly affecting IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air routes from India.
Quick Answer: Houthi attacks on Saudi airports — including Riyadh’s King Khalid International — have triggered massive flight cancellations across 11 airlines since early October 2026. Indian carriers IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air are directly affected. Over 4,000 flights were cancelled in a single week. Here is the full airline-wise breakdown with suspension dates and what to do if your flight is affected.
Saudi Arabia flight cancellations 2026 have hit Indian travellers hard — Umrah pilgrims, workers, and tourists flying to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah are all affected. The cancellations were triggered by Houthi drone and missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam), which forced airport closures and airline suspensions across the board.
At the peak on October 11, 2026, over 623 of 1,096 scheduled departures (56.84%) from Saudi Arabia were cancelled in a single day. By October 12, it was still 362 of 1,048 (34.54%). The disruption has now touched every major airline operating Saudi routes, including three Indian carriers.
Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations 2026: Airline-Wise Suspension Dates
Here is the complete breakdown of which airlines have suspended Saudi Arabia flights and until when.
| Airline | Routes Affected | Suspension Until |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | October 24, 2026 |
| Air India | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam | October 17, 2026 |
| Akasa Air | Saudi routes | No confirmed end date |
| Lufthansa Group | Riyadh | October 16, 2026 |
| Air France-KLM | Riyadh | End of October 2026 |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi–Riyadh, Abu Dhabi–Dammam | October 18; Jeddah to October 19 |
| Emirates | Dubai–Riyadh, Dubai–Dammam, Dubai–Jeddah | Cancelled October 15 onwards |
| flydubai | 12 Saudi destinations | Suspended (some routes continuing) |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah–Saudi routes | No confirmed end date |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh | November 29, 2026 |
| Riyadh Air | All departures | Cancelled (all 17 on October 11) |
Key point for Indian travellers: IndiGo has the longest confirmed suspension — October 24, 2026. If you are flying IndiGo to any Saudi city before that date, assume your flight is cancelled and contact the airline immediately.
Which Saudi Airports Are Affected
Riyadh — King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the worst hit. It was the primary target of Houthi attacks and has seen the most severe cancellation numbers. Riyadh accounts for the majority of the 4,000+ flights cancelled in the first week of October.
Dammam — King Fahd International Airport (DMM) also reported an attack, with a projectile landing near the airport on October 11. Several airline suspensions specifically cover Dammam routes.
Jeddah, Madinah, Abha, Jazan, and Najran have varying levels of disruption. Some airlines have continued Jeddah and Madinah services while suspending Riyadh operations. Check individual airline status before assuming your route is unaffected.
What Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations Mean for Indian Travellers
Saudi Arabia is one of the most critical destinations for Indian passport holders — for Umrah, for Indian workers in the Gulf, and for families visiting residents. Here is exactly what you need to know right now.
1 — Check your flight status before going to the airport.
Do not assume your flight is operating. With 34–57% of flights cancelled daily, arriving at the airport without checking first is a serious risk. Check the IndiGo, Air India, or Akasa app directly, or call the airline.
2 — IndiGo passengers are affected the longest.
IndiGo’s Saudi suspension runs until October 24 — the furthest confirmed date among Indian carriers. If you have an IndiGo booking to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or Madinah before October 24, do not wait. Contact IndiGo directly and ask about rescheduling or a full refund.
3 — Air India is offering full refunds.
Air India has confirmed that passengers affected by Saudi cancellations can claim a full refund if they choose to cancel. Ask specifically for a refund in writing — do not accept only a reschedule option if you no longer want to travel.
4 — Other airlines — get written confirmation.
For Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia, and other affected carriers, refund and rebooking policies vary. Ask the airline in writing whether: (a) you can rebook with no change fee, (b) you can get a full refund, and (c) connecting flights on the same ticket are also covered.
5 — Umrah travellers — contact your travel agent immediately.
Umrah packages booked through travel agents in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, or Kerala may have separate cancellation and refund terms. Contact your agent today — do not wait until your departure date.
6 — UPI does not work in Saudi Arabia.
If you are rebooked on a later date and travelling, carry international debit or credit cards. UPI is not accepted at Saudi airports or retail establishments.
How Bad Is the Disruption? The Numbers
| Date | Flights Cancelled | Total Scheduled | Cancellation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8 | 385 | 1,194 | 32.2% |
| October 9 | 188 | 1,026 | 18.3% |
| October 10 | 442 | 1,186 | 37.3% |
| October 11 (peak) | 623 | 1,096 | 56.8% |
| October 12 | 362 | 1,048 | 34.5% |
Source: Cirium aviation data. Total flights cancelled in the first week of October: over 4,000.
On the peak day (October 11), Saudi carriers alone accounted for nearly 79% of all cancellations:
- Saudia: 225 of 370 flights cancelled (60.8%)
- flynas: 146 of 206 (70.9%)
- flyadeal: 120 of 169 (71.0%)
FAQs — Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations 2026
Q1: My IndiGo flight to Riyadh is before October 24 — what should I do?
Assume it is cancelled. Log into the IndiGo app or call IndiGo customer care and ask specifically for either a full refund or a rebooking to the next available date after October 24. Do not go to the airport without confirmed airline communication. IndiGo has the longest suspension of any Indian carrier on Saudi routes — October 24, 2026 is the current confirmed end date, though this may be extended if the situation continues.
Q2: Can I get a refund if my Saudi Arabia flight is cancelled?
Air India has explicitly confirmed full refunds for affected passengers. For IndiGo and Akasa Air, check your booking conditions — most airlines offer refunds or fee-free rebooking during force majeure disruptions. For international carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Air France-KLM, contact the airline or your booking platform directly and ask for written confirmation of their disruption policy. Always get the refund or rebooking agreement in writing before agreeing to anything.
Q3: Are Jeddah and Madinah flights also cancelled or only Riyadh?
The worst disruption is at Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM), which were the primary targets of the attacks. Jeddah and Madinah have seen fewer cancellations, and some airlines — including flydubai — have continued service on certain Jeddah and Madinah routes while suspending Riyadh. However, the situation is fluid. Check your airline directly for your specific route and date.
Final Word
The Saudi Arabia flight cancellations 2026 are not routine delays — they are the result of Houthi attacks on major Saudi airports, with over 4,000 flights cancelled in a single week and peak daily cancellation rates above 56%. Indian travellers on IndiGo (until October 24), Air India, and Akasa Air are directly affected. Do not go to the airport without confirming your flight is operating. Contact your airline today, get your refund or rebooking terms in writing, and postpone non-essential Saudi travel until airlines confirm stable operations. TravelManToday will update this article as airlines confirm new resumption dates.
Also Read:
- Thailand Travel 2026: New Rules for Indian Passport Holders
- Visit Japan Web 2026: Free Official Portal Guide for Indians
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for Indians: Is It Worth It?
Official Sources:
- Khaleej Times — Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations Live Coverage
- Gulf Business — Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations
Japan Saudi Arabia Travel Alert 2026: Essential Warning for Indians Visiting the Kingdom
Thailand Flood Warning October 2026: Key Travel Alert for Indians Visiting Thailand
Saudi Arabia Travel Warning 2026: UK Advisory, Indian Consulate Alert and What Indians Must Do Now
Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations 2026: 11 Airlines, Suspension Dates and Refund Rules for Indians
Japan Saudi Arabia Travel Alert 2026: Essential Warning for Indians Visiting the Kingdom
Thailand Flood Warning October 2026: Key Travel Alert for Indians Visiting Thailand
Saudi Arabia Travel Warning 2026: UK Advisory, Indian Consulate Alert and What Indians Must Do Now
Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations 2026: 11 Airlines, Suspension Dates and Refund Rules for Indians
Aaseem Bhardwaj is a journalist, seasoned traveler and IT professional based in India. With firsthand travel experience across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Middle East and Europe, Aaseem founded Travel Man Today to provide reliable visa updates and travel news for Indian passport holders. He has personally traveled to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, UAE and Europe. Follow his travel vlogs on YouTube at @travelmantoday
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