Air India Extends Saudi Flight Suspension Until Oct 24
Air India and Air India Express have announced an extension of the total suspension of all flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until October 24. This decision follows a devastating projectile strike at King Khalid International Airport, prompting an Air India Saudi flight suspension to ensure the safety of passengers amid escalating regional instability.
The suspension comes after a violent attack on October 10 at the airport, which resulted in at least 13 fatalities. Other airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have also extended their flight cancellations into late October as the situation remains volatile.
Passenger Rebooking and Refund Options
Airlines have outlined specific protocols for travelers impacted by the sudden cancellations. Passengers who purchased tickets on or before October 15 for travel scheduled between October 9 and October 25 are eligible for the following options:
- Free Date Changes: A one-time complimentary date change is available for travel scheduled up until November 10.
- Alternative Hubs: Travelers may rebook their journeys through other GCC hubs, including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, or Muscat.
- Full Refunds: Passengers who do not wish to reschedule can request a complete refund of their booking.
Tragedy at King Khalid International Airport
The security crisis was triggered by a projectile attack on October 10 that struck civilian infrastructure at King Khalid International Airport. Among the victims was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a Hyderabad-based IT engineer who had lived in Riyadh for ten years.
The attack occurred while Mr. Ali was traveling to Medina for Umrah with his wife, Sameera, their sons Aman (18) and Wasi (16), their daughter Maryam (11), and his aunt. While Mr. Ali tragically passed away in the hospital, his family members sustained various injuries; Aman required knee surgery, while Wasi suffered the loss of three toes.
Saudi authorities have attributed the strike to Iran-backed Houthi forces. In response, India issued a formal condemnation of the attack on civilian infrastructure at the United Nations Security Council.
Safety Advice and Visa Relief for Expats
With an estimated 2.6 million to 2.75 million Indian citizens residing in Saudi Arabia, Indian officials have issued urgent safety guidelines. Residents are advised to:
- Stay indoors during any aerial alerts.
- Refrain from recording or sharing footage of security incidents on social media.
- Utilize official embassy helplines for immediate assistance.
Diplomatic missions in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai have activated 24/7 control rooms to manage the crisis and support the diaspora. Furthermore, a significant relief measure has been announced for those on expired visit or Umrah visas: Indians currently in the country on expired visas will be permitted to depart without incurring overstay fines once flight operations resume.
Amidst these tensions, the Indian government has emphasized that the safety of the 10 million Indians residing across the GCC remains a core national interest, particularly following recent attacks on Indian-flagged shipping vessels.