# Aviation Alert: IndiGo and Akasa Air Extend Flight Suspensions to Saudi Arabia Until 24 October

> Mounting security risks in the Gulf have prompted Indian carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air to extend cancellations on Saudi Arabian flight routes through late October.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Money · **Published:** 2026-10-15 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/money/saudi-arabia-ki-uranon-para-roka-barhi-indigo-aura-akasa-air-ne-24-october-taka-sevaen-rokin-47947 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Saudi Arabia Flights, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Flight Cancellations, Riyadh, Jeddah, Aviation News

Mounting regional hostilities and heightened security alarms have forced major Indian airlines to prolong the grounding of scheduled passenger services to Saudi Arabia. Domestic carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air confirmed that flight cancellations connecting several Indian hubs with key Saudi destinations will now extend until October 24. Airline executives noted that the decision was taken following an intensive operational assessment of the volatile environment in the region. Passengers across both networks are being alerted individually as carriers continuously track ongoing developments on the ground.

## IndiGo Shuts Down Operations Across Four Destination Hubs
Low-cost carrier IndiGo has suspended its full flight schedule serving four prominent urban centers in the Kingdom. Flights connecting India with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah will remain non-operational through the entire closure window. The airline officially noted: 
> "Following a careful assessment of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 24 October 2026 inclusive."
 IndiGo confirmed that passenger outreach is currently underway using the contact phone numbers and email addresses registered during reservations. Officials have not committed to an operational timeline for resuming service beyond the October 24 deadline.

## Akasa Air Extends Grounding on Riyadh and Jeddah Corridors
Budget carrier Akasa Air has likewise prolonged its flight suspensions on its two Gulf corridors into late October. All flights operating into and out of the capital city of Riyadh remain cancelled through October 24. On the Jeddah corridor, Akasa Air confirmed that its suspension of flights will stay in effect until October 21. Company representatives stated that operational teams are reviewing security changes in real time as fresh events unfold across the area.

## Ticket Flexibility and Full Refunds Offered to Stranded Travelers
Recognizing the disruption caused to international schedules, Akasa Air has laid out customer support measures for all impacted ticket holders. Passengers can choose between a full financial reimbursement or a fee-free rescheduling of their tickets. Travelers who opt for refunds will receive the full ticket sum credited back to their original payment mode within seven days. Alternatively, flyers can adjust their journey dates to an alternate schedule without incurring penalty fees or modification charges, mitigating the hardship caused by the security crisis.

## Escalating Hostilities and Previous Flight Halts
The prolonged flight cancellations stem directly from escalating hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group. The regional confrontation has involved strikes featuring armed drones and missile attacks in recent days. Airlines initially paused flights to Riyadh following reported strikes directed at the capital's international airport. Earlier on Tuesday, a broader group of carriers comprising IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air had announced route cancellations through October 17. The current extensions keep flight operations disrupted well into the second half of October.

## What this means for you
The extended flight suspensions directly disrupt travel schedules for thousands of Indian expatriates, corporate travelers, and pilgrims bound for the Gulf.

- **Disrupted Travel Plans:** Passengers scheduled to fly to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah must hold travel until at least October 24 or seek alternate arrangements. Travelers should regularly check their registered phone numbers and inboxes for operational alerts from airlines.
- **Refund Processing:** Affected Akasa Air ticket holders are entitled to a complete refund without cancellation penalties. The reimbursed amount will be credited back to the original bank or card account within seven days.
- **Pilgrimage and Family Visits:** With services to Jeddah and Madinah frozen, individuals planning religious visits or family travel will face unavoidable schedule adjustments. Passengers should contact customer support desks to avoid no-show penalties.
- **Free Rescheduling:** Akasa Air travelers can reschedule their flight bookings to a later window without paying extra ticket modification fees. Those booked on IndiGo must monitor the carrier's booking portal for route resumption updates.

## Why this happened
The suspension extension is driven by deteriorating regional security conditions and the direct threats posed to civil aviation infrastructure.

- **Airport Incidents:** Operational suspensions were triggered after reported strikes targeted the international airport in Riyadh. These incidents raised immediate concerns regarding passenger safety and ground operations.
- **Intensified Military Clashes:** The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group has intensified sharply. Escalating attacks involving armed drones and ballistic missiles have elevated risks across surrounding airspace corridors.
- **Precautionary Timeline Extensions:** Following an initial suspension deadline set for October 17 by multiple carriers, security teams assessed that regional risks remain unresolved. IndiGo and Akasa Air consequently opted to push their suspension dates through October 24.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which Saudi cities are affected by IndiGo's cancellations?
IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah through October 24, 2026.

### 2. What is the suspension schedule for Akasa Air?
Akasa Air has suspended all flights to Riyadh until October 24 and flights to Jeddah until October 21.

### 3. Can passengers claim a refund for cancelled flights?
Yes, Akasa Air is offering full refunds credited within seven days to the original payment method, or fee-free rescheduling.

### 4. What prompted this decision by the airlines?
The decisions follow escalated conflict involving armed drones and missiles between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group, including strikes at Riyadh airport.

### 5. Which airlines had previously announced cancellations?
Earlier on Tuesday, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air had suspended their Saudi routes through October 17.

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