Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 30: Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from three Saudi Arabian cities — Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam — until November 14, citing the prevailing situation in the region.

To minimise inconvenience to passengers with existing bookings, both airlines are offering a one-time complimentary rebooking facility or a full refund on cancellation.

Passengers holding confirmed bookings issued on or before October 30, 2026, for travel scheduled up to November 14 can reschedule their journeys for travel up to November 29, subject to seat availability, the airlines said.

Air India said eligible passengers can rebook their journeys to or from any operational Air India destination in Saudi Arabia. Air India Express customers can reschedule their travel to or from any operational Air India Express station in Saudi Arabia or Bahrain.

The airlines have advised affected passengers to contact their respective customer service teams or visit their city booking offices for assistance with rebooking and refund requests. Passengers can also reach the airlines through their call centres using the contact details available on their official websites.

The suspension comes amid continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including airports in Riyadh and Dammam.

One Indian national was killed and two others were injured in an attack on Dammam airport, while another Indian was injured in an attack on the Shaybah oil field.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia were actively coordinating with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of Indian pilgrims stranded in the country.

Hundreds of stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India from Saudi Arabia over the past month, while more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims have also travelled back to the country.