IndiGo, Air India, Etihad extend Saudi flight cancellations

The airlines pushed back flight suspensions to mid‑October, citing ongoing security concerns and coordination with authorities.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:56:42 GMT

IndiGo, Air India and Etihad Airways announced further extensions of flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia after King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remained closed following a series of Houthi attacks.

What happened

IndiGo said flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah are cancelled until 17 October 2026. Air India cancelled its Riyadh services until 15 October, while Air India Express suspended Riyadh flights until 14 October and offered free rescheduling. Etihad Airways cancelled all Abu Dhabi‑Riyadh flights until 19 October and also halted Abu Dhabi‑Jeddah and Abu Dhabi‑Dammam services until 14 October.

What the reports add

Gulf News reported IndiGo’s travel advisory and noted that Akasa Air had also suspended flights to Jeddah and Riyadh until 13 October. Khaleej Times added that the extension follows a NOTAM keeping Riyadh airport closed until 17 October and that the Saudi aviation authority confirmed fresh injuries from an attack on 12 October. The Khaleej Times piece also mentioned Air France’s suspension of Dubai‑Riyadh flights until 31 October.

What was said

IndiGo said, “Due to the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 17 October 2026,” and added that passenger safety and wellbeing remained its “top priority” (Gulf News). The airline also said its support teams were available to assist passengers. Etihad cited “regional disruption” as the reason for its cancellations (Khaleej Times).

How it came about

The latest extensions follow a wave of airline suspensions that began after a Houthi‑claimed missile strike on 9 October set a parked Saudia aircraft ablaze at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (Felo). Etihad first cancelled Abu Dhabi‑Riyadh flights on 10 October (Felo) and later extended them as the security situation remained fluid (Felo). Saudi authorities extended the airport shutdown to 17 October after a fresh missile strike on 12 October (Felo), prompting further airline actions.

Key facts

IndiGo cancelled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 17 October 2026. (gulfnews.com)
Air India suspended Riyadh flights until 15 October 2026; Air India Express until 14 October 2026. (gulfnews.com)
Etihad cancelled Abu Dhabi‑Riyadh flights until 19 October 2026 and Abu Dhabi‑Jeddah/Dammam flights until 14 October 2026. (khaleejtimes.com)