Air India and IndiGo Cancel Riyadh Flights Following Missile Threat

Major Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, cancelled and diverted multiple flight services to Riyadh on Thursday following heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The disruptions occurred after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missile attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital.

The sudden airspace and terminal security alerts rippled across international aviation networks, affecting hundreds of flights globally. For Indian passengers, the operational halt disrupted vital economic and personal connectivity with the Gulf nation, prompting immediate safety interventions from domestic aviation operators.

Air India confirmed that flight AI2243, which was operating from Delhi to Riyadh, was forced to turn back mid-route and return to the national capital in the interest of passenger and crew safety. The airline subsequently suspended all scheduled services to and from Riyadh through October 10, assuring full refunds to impacted travellers.

Budget carrier IndiGo also enacted rolling schedule changes, halting its Riyadh operations temporarily while diverting specific services, such as an aircraft travelling from Hyderabad to Dammam. Similarly, Air India Express and Akasa Air halted their respective Saudi routes until October 10, affecting departures out of regional hubs like Kochi.

Airlines have instituted full refund policies and complimentary rescheduling options for all ticket holders holding confirmed reservations during the suspension window. Akasa Air stated that ticket refunds would be processed back to original payment channels within seven days, while Air India Express set up dedicated customer support channels to handle re-bookings.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued advisories urging Indian nationals residing in the kingdom to maintain heightened vigilance as regional security evaluations continue. International aviation regulators and safety agencies are concurrently assessing airspace risks over the Arabian Peninsula as coalition forces monitor ongoing projectile threats.

Carriers stated that normal flight schedules will remain suspended or restricted pending further review of ground security conditions at King Khalid International Airport. Passengers holding upcoming itineraries to Saudi Arabia have been advised to verify flight statuses directly with their respective airlines prior to heading to departure terminals.