Air India flights to Riyadh, Dammam suspended till Nov 7 amid Saudi attacks
Synopsis
Air India and Air India Express have extended flight suspensions to Riyadh and Dammam until 7 November following attacks on Saudi civilian infrastructure — including King Fahad International Airport. With one Indian killed, two injured in Dammam, and thousands of Umrah pilgrims still stranded, the Indian Embassy is running round-the-clock control rooms as New Delhi races to bring its nationals home.
Key Takeaways
Air India and Air India Express flights to Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until 7 November ; Jeddah services are suspended until 31 October .
The suspension follows attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia , including strikes on King Fahad International Airport and Aramco 's Shaybah oil field .
One Indian national was killed and two others injured in the Dammam airport attack; another Indian was injured at the Shaybah oil field.
Approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India in the past week, along with more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims .
The Indian Embassy is running 24x7 control rooms in Riyadh and Jeddah to assist stranded Indian nationals.
Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended until 7 November, while services to and from Jeddah will stay grounded until 31 October, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Saturday, 24 October. The suspension is directly linked to continued attacks on civilian infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, including strikes on major airports in Riyadh and Dammam.
Why Flights Remain Grounded
The ongoing suspension follows a series of attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including a strike on King Fahad International Airport and Aramco's Shaybah oil field. India condemned these attacks on Thursday, expressing hope that 'peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest.' According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), one Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the attack on Dammam airport, while a separate Indian national was injured in the Shaybah oil field strike.
Stranded Pilgrims: The Scale of the Crisis
The flight suspensions have left a significant number of Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, said approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India over the past week. Additionally, more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims have also managed to travel back to India during this period.
What the Government Is Doing
The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia are operating 24x7 control rooms in both Riyadh and Jeddah to assist stranded Indian nationals. According to Jaiswal, embassy officials are working alongside community volunteers and are in direct contact with those still stuck in the country. 'Arrangements are being under discussion to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,' Jaiswal said, adding that regular advisories are being issued to keep Indian nationals better informed of ground conditions.
Airlines and Tour Operators in the Loop
The MEA said the Indian Embassy and Consulate have been 'actively engaged' with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate early repatriation. No revised flight schedule has been announced beyond the current suspension deadlines of 31 October for Jeddah and 7 November for Riyadh and Dammam. The situation remains fluid, with resumption contingent on security conditions on the ground.
What Happens Next
With the suspension dates still days away, Indian authorities are working to clear the backlog of stranded travellers through alternative arrangements. The broader regional security environment will be the key determinant of when normal flight operations can resume. Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia have been urged to monitor embassy advisories closely.
Point of View
With thousands of Umrah pilgrims caught in a conflict they had no part in. What is notable is the speed of the Indian government's consular response, with 24x7 control rooms and active airline engagement, but the absence of a clear repatriation timeline beyond the suspension deadlines is a gap. The death of one Indian national in Dammam and injuries to three others underscores that this is not a distant geopolitical event — it has direct, lethal consequences for Indian citizens abroad. As the regional security situation remains unpredictable, New Delhi will need to move beyond reactive advisories toward a more proactive evacuation framework.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Until when are Air India flights to Riyadh and Dammam suspended?
Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until 7 November, according to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Flights to and from Jeddah face a separate suspension deadline of 31 October.
Why have Air India flights to Saudi Arabia been suspended?
The suspensions are due to continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including strikes on King Fahad International Airport in Riyadh and Dammam, as well as Aramco's Shaybah oil field. India condemned these attacks and cited safety concerns as the basis for the flight halt.
Were any Indian nationals hurt in the Saudi Arabia attacks?
Yes. According to the MEA, one Indian national was killed and two others were injured in the attack on Dammam airport. A separate Indian national was also injured in the attack on Aramco's Shaybah oil field.
How many Indian pilgrims are stranded in Saudi Arabia?
While an exact current figure has not been confirmed, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India over the past week, and more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims have also travelled back. Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of those still in the country.
What help is the Indian government providing to stranded nationals in Saudi Arabia?
The Indian Embassy and Consulate are operating 24x7 control rooms in both Riyadh and Jeddah to assist stranded Indian nationals. Officials are working with airlines, tour operators, and community volunteers, and are issuing regular advisories to keep travellers informed of the ground situation.
