Riyadh Airport Reopens After Houthi Attacks, but Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Keep Saudi Flights Suspended Until October 24

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened on Sunday, October 18, after a closure caused by attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen. But the reopening has not brought a quick return to normal: many international airlines, including India's major carriers, have extended their suspensions of flights to Saudi Arabia, some well into November and beyond.

According to a round-up by The National, published on October 18, carriers from the Gulf, Europe, Asia and North America are taking very different approaches to the Saudi market, reflecting their own assessments of security risks and operational constraints.

For India, the disruption is significant. Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest Indian communities in the world, with more than two million Indian nationals living and working in the kingdom, and it receives large numbers of Indian pilgrims travelling for Umrah throughout the year.

Indian airlines extend suspensions

All of India's major carriers serving Saudi Arabia have extended their suspensions. Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24. IndiGo has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah up to the same date. Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh flights until October 24 and Jeddah flights until October 21.

The suspensions affect a wide range of travellers: workers returning to jobs in Saudi Arabia after visits home, families visiting relatives, business travellers and pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina. Many will need to rebook, seek refunds or route through other Gulf hubs where possible.

Pakistan International Airlines announced a temporary suspension of Riyadh flights on October 9, with no resumption date, though Pakistan's airports authority said other Saudi services were operating as usual.

Gulf carriers take mixed approaches

Gulf airlines, which carry large numbers of passengers between South Asia and Saudi Arabia via their hubs, have adopted varied schedules. Etihad Airways cancelled all Abu Dhabi to Riyadh flights until October 19, while some Jeddah and Dammam services were listed as operating on October 18. Emirates has listed six Dubai to Riyadh services for October 20.

Flydubai cancelled flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha up to October 19. Air Arabia has cancelled Sharjah services to Riyadh, Abha, Dammam and Taif with no resumption date, and Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended Riyadh and Dammam flights, also without a resumption date. Oman Air suspended Riyadh flights until October 22, and SalamAir cancelled Riyadh and Dammam services until October 31, citing regional security. Gulf Air said flights after October 18 were proceeding as scheduled.

Long suspensions from global airlines

Several international airlines have taken a more cautious view. Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights until November 18 and Dammam until November 30, while its subsidiary Eurowings plans to resume Jeddah flights on November 12. KLM extended Riyadh and Dammam cancellations to October 31, and Air France extended its Riyadh suspension to October 24. British Airways plans a limited return to Riyadh on November 3 with one daily flight.

In Asia, Cathay Pacific extended its Riyadh suspension to January 31, 2027. Philippine Airlines suspended its Riyadh flights until November 29, citing the security situation at the airport, a significant move given the large Filipino workforce in Saudi Arabia. Scoot cancelled Singapore to Jeddah flights until December 2, while Malaysia Airlines resumed Jeddah and Madinah flights on October 18 after a safety review.

In the United States, Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its Atlanta to Riyadh service, which had been scheduled for October 23, to March 2027.

The security backdrop

The disruption reflects an escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. Saudi forces have intercepted missiles fired from Yemen, and Egypt said on October 18 that it was ready to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support. The broader region has been unsettled by tensions between the United States and Iran and repeated attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

For airlines, the risks include not only direct threats to airports but also the safety of flight paths over conflict zones. Insurers, regulators and airline security teams continually reassess such risks, which explains why carriers reach different conclusions about when to resume service.

Business and Vision 2030

The disruption comes at a sensitive time for Saudi Arabia, which has invested heavily in aviation and tourism as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The kingdom aims to attract tens of millions of international visitors a year and has launched a new national airline, Riyadh Air, while expanding airports and hosting major business, sporting and cultural events.

Prolonged flight suspensions could affect business travel, tourism and investment events, and add to costs for companies operating in the kingdom. For Indian companies with operations or projects in Saudi Arabia, from construction and engineering to IT services, the disruption complicates staff movements.

What it means for the Indian diaspora

For Indian workers in Saudi Arabia, many of them employed in construction, services, healthcare and retail, reliable air connections are essential. Remittances from Gulf countries remain an important source of income for millions of Indian families, particularly in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and other states.

Travellers affected by the suspensions are advised to check with their airlines for updates, rebooking options and refunds, and to follow guidance from Indian missions in the region.

The cost for travellers

For travellers, the disruption means higher fares and longer journeys. With direct flights between Indian cities and Saudi Arabia suspended, passengers may need to connect through hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Muscat or Bahrain, where airlines are operating, but routes and seat availability depend on each carrier's schedule. Fares typically rise when capacity is cut on busy routes.

Pilgrims face particular challenges. Umrah travel is organised through tour operators and often involves fixed dates for visas and accommodation in Mecca and Medina. Flight cancellations can force costly rescheduling. Travel agents and airlines have been advising passengers to stay in close contact and keep documentation ready for rebooking or refunds.

What comes next

Airline schedules will depend on how the security situation evolves. Indian carriers will review their suspensions ahead of October 24, and any further extensions would add to the disruption for travellers.

For now, the reopening of Riyadh's airport is a first step towards normality, but the patchwork of suspensions shows that airlines remain cautious. Until the conflict eases, travellers between India and Saudi Arabia should expect uncertainty, fewer direct options and the possibility of last-minute changes.