Air India has halted all services to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until 20 October 2026, citing the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia. “In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 20 October 2026,” the carrier said.
The decision follows last week’s reports of explosions at Riyadh International Airport, prompting Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo to reduce or suspend flights to the city. Air France‑KLM extended its Riyadh suspension to the end of October, while Etihad, Gulf Air and Lufthansa Group airlines also paused services.
Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered full refunds. To claim, travellers can use the airline’s website, app or ticketing office; the amount will be credited to the original payment method, with a refund status check available on the portal.
Meanwhile, Air India’s new CEO Tewolde Gebremariam has formed a cost‑savings team to trim operating expenses amid a Rs 22,238.23‑crore loss for the 2025‑26 financial year. He urged staff to focus on spending carefully and identified cross‑functional savings opportunities.
With the Middle East conflict extending past seven months, airlines across the region are tightening schedules. Air India will resume operations only when the security landscape stabilises, as it closely monitors developments in Saudi Arabia.