Air India prolongs Saudi flight halt through Oct 24 amid regional security concerns

Air India and its low‑cost arm Air India Express have announced that the temporary suspension of all services to Saudi Arabia will now run until 24 October. The pause covers flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam, both inbound and outbound, and follows a series of missile and drone attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that have disrupted air traffic across the Red Sea corridor.

The airline said the decision is being taken “in the interest of passenger safety” and will be reviewed daily. Travelers who already hold tickets for the affected routes are being advised to contact the carrier for rebooking or refunds. Indian expatriates, pilgrims and business travelers who regularly use these connections will need to seek alternative routes, often through Gulf hubs such as Dubai or Doha, until the ban is lifted.

The extension underscores how regional security flashpoints can quickly affect the mobility of the South‑Asian diaspora, especially during the busy Hajj season. Authorities in New Delhi continue to monitor the situation and will coordinate with Saudi officials to resume services as soon as conditions permit.