Indian carriers extend Saudi flight bans amid security threats, affecting pilgrims and travelers

After a series of attacks on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield, Indian airlines have extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia. IndiGo announced cancellations to Riyadh through Oct 31 and to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through Oct 27; Akasa Air now suspends Jeddah flights until Nov 10 and Riyadh until Nov 30. Air India and Air India Express have also stopped services to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam through Oct 24.

The Ministry of External Affairs reported one Indian killed and two injured in Dammam, with another injured at the oilfield, and is helping roughly 3,000 Umrah pilgrims return, while over 10,000 have already traveled home. Indian diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are working with airlines and tour operators to assist remaining travelers, offering welfare support and advising citizens to stay indoors during aerial attacks.