IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express halted all scheduled services to Riyadh on Thursday, Oct 5, 2026, citing a rising security threat after a spate of Houthi‑linked blasts on Saudi airfields.
The decision follows a stern warning issued earlier this week by Iran‑backed Houthi rebels, who declared that this was their "last warning" to global carriers operating over Saudi airspace, calling the region a theatre of their military operations.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh urged passengers to check flight status directly with airlines before heading to the terminal, as explosions rang out across the capital hours before the cancellation was announced.
Saudi officials confirmed that attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports, attributed to the Houthis, had resulted in three fatalities, marking the first death toll for the ongoing offensive launched by Saudi and Yemeni forces.
Affected travelers, including a Hyderabad resident who had booked a ticket to Riyadh, will receive full refunds and are being offered complimentary rebooking options. Airlines said they will keep a close eye on the situation and provide further updates as new information emerges.