# Middle East Crisis Prompts Akasa Air to Suspend Flights to Riyadh and Jeddah Until October 27 > Akasa Air has cancelled all flight services connecting Riyadh and Jeddah through October 27, 2026, offering impacted fliers full ticket refunds and free flight rescheduling. **Type:** article · **Category:** Business · **Published:** 2026-10-18 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/business/madhya-purva-tanava-ke-chalate-akasa-air-ne-riyadh-aura-jeddah-ki-sabhi-uranen-27-aktubara-taka-rokin-49285 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Akasa Air, Riyadh Flights, Jeddah Flights, Saudi Arabia, Middle East Tension, Houthi Strikes, Flight Cancellations, Indian Embassy Commercial carrier Akasa Air has announced the immediate suspension of all flight operations connecting India with Riyadh and Jeddah until October 27, 2026. The airline confirmed the operational halt following an extensive and rigorous assessment of the rapidly deteriorating geopolitical conditions across the Middle East. Management highlighted that safeguarding passenger welfare, flight crew members, and aircraft safety remains paramount during ongoing regional volatility, prompting the operational pause across both prominent Saudi Arabian destinations. ## Refund Process and Free Flight Date Modifications To assist travelers disrupted by these sudden cancellations, Akasa Air outlined relief measures on social media. The carrier stated in an update posted on X that affected passengers are eligible for a complete ticket refund without deduction. The full reimbursement amount will be credited back directly to the original mode of payment within seven working days of initiating the request. > Passengers who prefer to defer their journey rather than cancel have been granted the option to reschedule their bookings to future dates without having to pay any extra change penalties. The airline specified that travelers who secured their tickets through third-party travel portals or offline booking agents must contact those specific intermediaries directly to process cancellations or changes. Company representatives affirmed that they will continuously observe ground realities in the Middle East and re-evaluate flight corridors as developments unfold. ## Spike in Drone Assaults on Aviation and Energy Facilities The precautionary flight stoppage comes amid escalating cross-border hostility directed at critical infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. Iran-aligned Houthi insurgents have intensified targeted strikes against civilian aviation terminals and strategic petroleum installations across the kingdom. Military coalition units operating under Saudi leadership confirmed the mid-air interception and destruction of roughly 4 armed drones over the airspace of Riyadh and neighbouring regions, highlighting the immediate risks posed to commercial air routes across the region. ## Indian Embassy Issues Urgent Safety Advisory In response to the aerial incursions targeting Saudi territory, the Indian Embassy situated in Riyadh issued a dedicated safety advisory on Sunday, advising the Indian expatriate community to exercise heightened caution. The diplomatic mission urged citizens to closely monitor emergency broadcasts released by local authorities through the National Early Warning Platform and comply immediately with security instructions. Indian nationals residing across the kingdom have been advised to avoid panic, strictly adhere to official civil defence directives, and take shelter inside the safest reinforced areas of buildings whenever emergency alerts or sirens sound. The advisory underlines ongoing regional coordination as authorities monitor threats impacting both civilian populations and critical transport corridors. ## What this means for you The sudden suspension of Gulf flights directly affects international travelers and the Indian diaspora living in Saudi Arabia. - **For India-based travelers:** All Akasa Air flights bound for Riyadh and Jeddah stand cancelled through October 27, 2026. Affected ticket holders are entitled to a full refund credited within 7 days, or they can choose free rescheduling. - **For third-party bookings:** Customers who purchased tickets via travel agencies or online portals will not receive direct airline settlements. These passengers must reach out to their booking agents directly to initiate rescheduling or refund processing. - **For Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia:** Expatriates must remain vigilant regarding regional security updates and aerial alarms. They must obey all alerts from the National Early Warning Platform and seek shelter in designated safe areas inside buildings immediately. - **For Middle East transit passengers:** Geopolitical airspace closures may cause schedule disruptions and route diversions across regional carriers. Fliers should actively track real-time airline advisories before proceeding to airports. ## Why this happened The suspension was triggered by a rapid escalation in regional hostilities involving missile and drone threats against civilian infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. - **Escalated Houthi assaults:** Iran-backed Houthi forces have targeted Saudi Arabian civil aviation facilities and vital energy installations. This created an immediate hazard for passenger planes operating in commercial airspace corridors. - **Interception of four armed drones:** Coalition air defence units successfully intercepted around 4 hostile unmanned aerial vehicles over Riyadh and adjacent sectors. The active use of air defence systems in civilian flight corridors made standard airline operations unviable. - **Official emergency alerts:** Saudi emergency services activated the National Early Warning Platform while the Indian Embassy issued formal warnings urging sheltering protocols. These developments prompted Akasa Air to suspend operations pending safety reappraisals. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which flight routes have been suspended by Akasa Air? Akasa Air has suspended all flight services operating to and from Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. ### 2. Until what date will the flight cancellations remain in place? The operational halt remains in effect until October 27, 2026. ### 3. How long will it take for passengers to receive their ticket refunds? Full ticket refunds will be returned to the original payment source within 7 days. ### 4. Is there any fee charged for rescheduling cancelled flights? No, Akasa Air is allowing affected fliers to reschedule their flights without any additional fees. ### 5. Who is behind the attacks on Saudi infrastructure? Iran-backed Houthi insurgents have launched attacks targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities. ### 6. What guidance did the Indian Embassy issue for nationals in Saudi Arabia? The embassy urged citizens to follow National Early Warning Platform alerts, remain calm, and shelter in secure parts of buildings. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._