India-Jeddah Flights Resume as Consulate Supports Stranded Umrah Pilgrims
Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia received reassuring news this week as limited flights to India resumed from Riyadh and the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah stepped up around-the-clock support for thousands of Umrah pilgrims affected by ongoing flight disruptions between the two countries.
India-Bound Flights Restart as Embassy Issues Travel Advisory
Limited flight operations have resumed at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, with India-bound services operated by Flynas now back in service, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced on October 27. Saudi carriers continue to operate flights to India from three other key departure points — Dammam, Jeddah and Medina — meaning travellers across the Kingdom have multiple options for reaching home. However, the embassy cautioned that flight availability and schedules remain subject to change, and strongly urged all Indian nationals to contact their airlines directly and verify flight status before heading to any airport. The advisory came against the backdrop of continuing disruptions that have stranded a number of Indian travellers in the Kingdom. In a solemn note, the embassy also confirmed that the mortal remains of an Indian national who died in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam had been repatriated to India on the morning of October 27, with the embassy providing all necessary assistance to the family for the return. The embassy separately reminded the Indian community in Saudi Arabia to comply with local regulations, particularly rules that prohibit the filming or sharing of certain content in public spaces, as authorities remain vigilant during this period. [1]
🪔 Consulate Runs 24-Hour Control Rooms for Stranded Umrah Pilgrims
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has been working in overdrive to assist Indian nationals — particularly Umrah pilgrims — whose travel plans have been upended by the flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia. The consulate has kept its 24-hour control rooms operational in both Jeddah and Makkah, ensuring that affected travellers have a point of contact at any hour of the day. Officials have been coordinating with airlines and Saudi authorities to facilitate rebooking and to arrange essential supplies for those facing prolonged waits. Affected pilgrims and other Indian nationals have been advised to reach out to the control rooms directly for assistance with accommodation difficulties or urgent travel needs. The consulate also reminded pilgrims to stay in close contact with their Umrah service providers, as alternative flight options depend heavily on seat availability, applicable fares and each airline's rebooking policies. For those facing accommodation or service-related difficulties, Saudi Arabia's Pilgrim Care Centre is reachable at the helpline number 1966. The coordinated response by the consulate reflects the scale of the disruption, which has affected a significant number of Indians who had come to the Kingdom for the Umrah pilgrimage and found themselves without confirmed return flights. [2]
Sources: [1] Gulf News · [2] www.nationpathindia.com