India advises citizens in Saudi Arabia to take precautions amid aerial attacks
Synopsis
With Riyadh's international airport shut and Indian carriers grounded until late October, India's embassy in Saudi Arabia has issued its most urgent diaspora advisory in years — telling over a million Indian nationals to shelter from aerial attacks, stop sharing conflict footage, and explore transit routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar to get home.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a safety advisory on 18 October 2026 amid ongoing aerial attacks.
Riyadh's international airport remains shut; Dammam , Jeddah , and Medina airports are operational with some disruptions.
Air India , Air India Express , and IndiGo have suspended all routes until 24 October ; Akasa Air until 27 October .
Indians seeking to leave may transit through Bahrain , Kuwait , or Qatar , subject to obtaining necessary visas.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure as 'unacceptable' and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
Indian nationals travelling for Umrah have been specifically advised to account for airport disruptions and possible extended stays.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, 18 October 2026, issued a formal advisory urging Indian nationals in the kingdom to take due precautions amid a deteriorating security situation, including instructions on what to do in the event of an aerial attack. The advisory, posted on the embassy's official account on X, also warned citizens against filming, sharing, or publishing any information, photos, or videos related to ongoing events.
Key Advisory Instructions
The embassy directed Indian nationals to immediately proceed to the nearest safe place — specifically inside a building or an interior room away from windows — if an aerial attack occurs. Alongside these safety instructions, it confirmed that embassy officials are actively visiting hospitals where Indian nationals are receiving treatment and have maintained regular contact with the families of those affected, providing necessary assistance.
Flight Disruptions and Available Options
Flight operations at Riyadh's international airport remain suspended following an attack on the facility, according to the embassy statement. Airports at Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina remain operational, though some disruptions persist. Indian carriers have extended their suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia: Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo have suspended all routes until 24 October, while Akasa Air has extended its suspension until 27 October.
For those seeking to return to India, the embassy outlined several available options. Saudia is operating scheduled flights to India from Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina. Flynas is running Dammam–Delhi and Dammam–Mumbai flights between 17 and 24 October, with scheduled Dammam–Lucknow services continuing. Flyadeal operated Dammam–Mumbai flights on 17 and 18 October. The embassy also advised that Indian nationals requiring urgent departure may consider transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas.
Travel Warning for Prospective Visitors
The embassy specifically cautioned Indian nationals planning to travel to Saudi Arabia — including those intending to perform Umrah — to account for ongoing airport disruptions and the possibility of flight cancellations, which may result in extended stays in the kingdom. Citizens were urged to contact the embassy's 24x7 control rooms for any queries.
India's Position on the Crisis
India has reiterated its condemnation of attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing them as "unacceptable," while expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty. At a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed hope that "peace and normalcy return to the region soon." He acknowledged the impact on the large Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia and on travellers, noting that disruptions to flight schedules have affected both communities, while emphasising that Saudi Arabian Airlines continues to operate several flights between the two countries. This is among the most significant advisories issued to the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region in recent years, reflecting the scale of disruption caused by the ongoing conflict.
Point of View
Four Indian carriers grounded, and nationals being told to shelter from aerial bombardment. The scale of disruption to the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, one of the largest in the world, exposes just how quickly a regional conflict can translate into a humanitarian logistics crisis for New Delhi. The MEA's public condemnation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, while diplomatically calibrated, also signals that India is watching the crisis closely enough to take a bilateral position. What the advisory does not address — and what matters most — is how quickly normalcy can be restored for the hundreds of thousands of Indian workers, pilgrims, and travellers now stranded or at risk.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its nationals?
The Indian Embassy has advised nationals to take due precautions, shelter in an interior room away from windows during aerial attacks, and refrain from filming or sharing any information related to ongoing events. It also outlined available flight options and urged people to contact the embassy's 24x7 control rooms.
Which Indian airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia?
Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo have suspended all routes to and from Saudi Arabia until 24 October 2026, while Akasa Air has extended its suspension until 27 October 2026.
Are there any flights available from Saudi Arabia to India right now?
Yes. Saudia is operating scheduled flights to India from Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina. Flynas is running Dammam–Delhi and Dammam–Mumbai flights between 17 and 24 October, with Dammam–Lucknow services continuing on schedule.
Can Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia travel via other countries?
Yes. The Indian Embassy has advised that nationals requiring urgent departure may consider transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas for those countries.
What is India's official stance on the attacks in Saudi Arabia?
India has condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as 'unacceptable' and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region soon.
