NEW DELHI: Around 4,000 Indian pilgrims are stranded in the Saudi Arabian holy cities of Makkah and Madina after airlines cancelled flights following attacks on airport infrastructure in the kingdom, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Thursday.
"Four thousand pilgrims from India are stuck in Makkah and Madina. They flew via IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India but are now stuck there since these airlines have cancelled their flights," Owaisi said in a post on X.
Owaisi urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to allow airlines to operate larger aircraft to accommodate the stranded passengers, or to arrange special flights if regular services could not be restored. "The Indian pilgrims have been abandoned by their travel agents," he alleged, seeking urgent government intervention.
The Ministry of External Affairs responded hours later, saying the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah were actively engaging with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of the affected pilgrims. It said about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had already returned to India over the past week on available flights, in addition to more than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims who travelled back on their scheduled services in the same period.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said arrangements were being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest, and that Indian missions, supported by community volunteers, were providing welfare assistance to those still stranded, according to a report by The Tribune.
IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madina until October 24, while Akasa Air has extended its suspension of services to Riyadh until the same date, The Tribune reported. Air India and Air India Express have also announced cancellations on key Saudi routes.
The disruption follows the suspension of flights between India and several Saudi cities amid escalating regional tensions and security concerns after attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The MEA said 24-hour control rooms had been set up to help affected Indian nationals, with regular advisories being issued. Affected passengers can contact the Embassy of India in Riyadh or the Consulate General of India in Jeddah for assistance.