Indian carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air have extended their suspensions of flights to Saudi Arabia through late October 2026, as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel between India and the Gulf. IndiGo announced that all flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain cancelled until October 24, 2026, inclusive, while Akasa Air extended its Riyadh suspension until October 24 and its Jeddah services until October 21. Air India had earlier cancelled its own services to three Saudi cities through October 17 and is offering affected passengers full refunds. If your journey involves a long layover somewhere else while you rebook, our where to watch US Approach online guide is a handy way to pass the hours in the terminal.

IndiGo said the decision followed a careful assessment of the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia, and that it is sending timely notifications to affected customers using the contact details provided at booking. Passengers who bought tickets through travel agents have been advised to contact those partners directly for rebooking or refund assistance. The airline restated that the safety and well-being of its customers and crew remain its highest priority. Akasa Air issued a similar update on October 15, confirming its extended suspension and asking travellers to check their plans with the airline or their travel agent.

The suspensions are part of a wider wave of cancellations on the India–Saudi corridor this month. Alongside the Indian carriers, European and Middle Eastern airlines including Lufthansa Group, KLM, Air France and Etihad have also paused or limited services to Saudi airports, with some not planning to return until the end of October or later. The scale of the pullback is unusual: dozens of international routes into Riyadh and Jeddah are currently grounded, and airlines are telling passengers to expect fluid schedules until the security picture stabilises.

For passengers, the practical steps are straightforward. Check your airline's travel advisory page before heading to the airport, confirm the phone number and email on your booking are current so notifications reach you, and contact the airline directly rather than relying on third-party messages. If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund from carriers like Air India, and IndiGo and Akasa Air are offering reaccommodation options through their own channels. Keep screenshots of cancellation notices, since they simplify refund claims and any insurance paperwork later.

The disruption hits a particularly busy corridor. India–Saudi Arabia is one of the world's major air routes, carrying millions of workers, pilgrims and business travellers each year, and October is a peak travel month for many. Airlines are therefore trying to protect customers with advance notice rather than last-minute scrambles, which is why the cancellations stretch well into the third week of the month. Industry watchers say schedules are being reviewed almost daily, so a flight that looks cancelled today could in theory be reinstated if conditions improve.

Looking ahead, carriers say they are closely monitoring developments in the region and will resume services only when it is safe to do so. The Indian consulate in Saudi Arabia has opened a round-the-clock control room in Makkah to help travellers caught up in the disruption. Anyone with upcoming plans on this corridor should treat their itinerary as tentative, stay in touch with their airline, and give themselves extra margin on connecting flights — and if you end up with an unplanned evening in a hotel, our what is US Approach short drama about breakdown can help you decide what to watch.