Air India Suspends All Flights to and from Three Saudi Cities Until October 20
NEW DELHI: Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until October 20, 2026, due to the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia. The airline is closely monitoring developments to ensure the safe resumption of operations. Passengers affected by these cancellations will receive a full refund.
The cancellations follow earlier disruptions announced last week, when Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo suspended or reduced flights to Riyadh after reports of explosions, including a loud blast at the city’s international airport. Air India emphasized that the safety and security of passengers and crew is its highest priority.
How to Get a Refund for Cancelled Air India Flights
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled can request a refund through several methods. Those who booked via the Air India website or app should visit the Manage Booking section to initiate the refund. For bookings made through travel agents or third-party websites, customers need to contact the respective agent or website. Passengers who purchased tickets at ticketing offices should return to the same location to request a refund.
To check the status of a refund, customers can visit the refund support portal for bookings made through Air India’s website or app. For other bookings, they should reach out to the respective agent or ticketing office. Refunds will be credited to the original payment account, and if that account is closed, new bank details must be provided to an Air India agent.
More Carriers Halt Saudi Services
Other international airlines have also adjusted their schedules amid the ongoing conflict. Air France-KLM has extended its suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until the end of October. Akasa Air has halted services to and from Jeddah and Riyadh until October 17, while IndiGo has cancelled flights to these cities until the same date.
Etihad Airways has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, along with ten flights to Dammam and Jeddah, until October 19. Gulf Air has suspended flights to and from Riyadh from October 12 to October 17. Lufthansa Group airlines have cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 16. Malaysia Airlines has also cancelled flights to and from Jeddah and Madinah until October 17, and Philippine Airlines has extended its suspension of Riyadh flights until November 29.
Air India Sets Up Team to Cut Costs
In response to rising operational pressures, Air India has established a team focused on cost reduction across the airline. CEO Tewolde Gebremariam has urged employees to manage spending carefully.
In a message to staff on October 12, Gebremariam announced the formation of a multidisciplinary Cost Savings Team tasked with identifying cost-saving opportunities throughout the organization. The team will review spending across departments to find ways to reduce expenses. He noted that ongoing airspace closures, the conflict in the Middle East, and high jet fuel costs are placing significant pressure on airlines. Air India, jointly owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, reported a consolidated loss of Rs 22,238.23 crore in the 2025-26 financial year. The Middle East conflict has now persisted for over seven months, affecting airlines and oil markets.
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