Hyderabad: IndiGo has further extended the suspension of its flights to Saudi Arabia amid security concerns in the region, with services to Riyadh cancelled through October 31 and flights to three other Saudi cities suspended until October 27, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Friday.
In a post on X, the embassy said flights to and from Riyadh would remain cancelled until October 31, 2026, inclusive. Services connecting India with Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah will remain suspended until October 27, inclusive.
The cancellations come amid rising security concerns following drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's airports, energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have also been involved in a prolonged campaign against the kingdom.
The latest extension follows an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday that killed an Indian national and injured two others. A separate attack on the same day at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield left another Indian national injured.
Other Indian airlines have also extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express have suspended services on all routes until October 24, while Akasa Air has halted its flights until October 27.
The Indian Embassy had earlier advised nationals who need to leave Saudi Arabia urgently to consider travelling through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, provided they obtain the required visas.
The disruptions have also affected Indian Umrah pilgrims, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to work with airlines and tour operators to facilitate their return to India.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to arrange the earliest possible return of pilgrims who remain affected by the cancellations.
The missions, with support from community volunteers, are also providing welfare assistance to Indian nationals and operating round-the-clock control rooms. They have continued issuing advisories in response to the prevailing security situation.
An earlier attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed an Indian national and injured several others, following which the Indian Embassy issued safety advisories for the Indian community.
The embassy has urged Indians in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, comply with instructions from local authorities and take shelter inside a building if an aerial attack occurs. It has also cautioned them against recording or circulating photographs and videos of intercepted projectiles or impact sites, warning of possible legal consequences under Saudi law.
Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 2.74 million Indian nationals, who work across various sectors and form an important link between the two countries. (with inputs from PTI)