On October 10, 2026, an attack took place at Riyadh airport. The incident prompted immediate concern for the safety of travelers and staff. While specific details of the assault are not provided, the event set off a chain of responses from Indian diplomatic missions and airlines operating between India and Saudi Arabia. The attack became the catalyst for the subsequent advisories and flight suspensions that followed in the days after.
Following the attack, one Indian national was reported killed and four others remained in intensive care. The casualties highlighted the direct impact on the Indian community present in Saudi Arabia at the time. The Indian Embassy and Consulate General mobilized assistance.
Riyadh airport attack: Indian Embassy issues advisory; Jeddah Consulate sets up helpline for Indians https://t.co/bUpc3imUbG
On October 13, 2026, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah issued advisories urging Indian nationals, especially Umrah pilgrims, to monitor flight statuses and stay in contact with airlines and travel agents.
Their suspensions were likewise scheduled to last until October 17, 2026.
To provide continuous support, the Consulate General in Jeddah opened a 24/7 control room to assist affected Indian citizens.
Indian Ambassador to Saudi, @vipulifs Vipul attends funeral of Indian national Mohammed Yousef Ali, killed in Riyadh airport attack; offers condolences.
In response to the travel disruption, the Saudi government announced a waiver of fines for visa overstayers during the period of flight suspensions. This measure was intended to alleviate additional burdens on travelers who might find themselves unable to depart as originally planned because of the halted services.
Air India announced the suspension of all flight operations connecting India to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah. The suspension is set to continue until October 17, 2026. The airline cited the evolving regional security situation as the reason for the pause and said it would monitor developments to determine a safe resumption date.
Mirroring Air India’s decision, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air also suspended their services to Saudi Arabia. Their suspensions were likewise scheduled to last until October 17, 2026. The coordinated halt affected multiple routes and left many Indian travelers seeking alternative arrangements or awaiting updates from their respective carriers.
To mitigate the inconvenience caused by the cancellations, Air India stated that it would provide full refunds to all passengers whose flights were affected.
The Embassy’s advisory specifically addressed Umrah pilgrims travelling through Jeddah and Madinah, advising them to regularly check their flight status with their respective airlines and to stay in contact with travel agents and Umrah service providers. The guidance aimed to help pilgrims navigate the disruption while maintaining their religious travel plans.
Air India’s newsroom conveyed that the safety and security of passengers and crew remained the airline’s highest priority. It reiterated that flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah stood cancelled until October 17, 2026, and that affected guests were being offered a full refund. The statement underscored the airline’s focus on monitoring the situation and resuming operations only when conditions allowed.
Both Air India and the Indian Embassy maintained a neutral tone in their communications.