Air India, IndiGo Cancel Riyadh Flights After Houthi Attacks

Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the security situation in the region. The airlines said affected passengers will be offered a full refund, while Air India Express is also offering complimentary rescheduling.

The disruption has spread beyond Indian carriers. At least 333 flights connecting with Riyadh were cancelled globally, while Lufthansa Group airlines said they would suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16.

The cancellations followed reported attacks and missile activity around Saudi airports. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport asked passengers to contact their airlines and check their flight status before travelling to the airport.

Riyadh flight cancellations reach 333 globally

Air India and Air India Express said their Riyadh services would remain cancelled until October 10. IndiGo also cancelled its flights to Riyadh over the same security concerns. Passengers affected by the cancellations are eligible for a full refund, according to the airlines.

Air India Express said passengers can also choose complimentary rescheduling. Its spokesperson said the airline was monitoring the situation as developments in the region continued.

The scale of the disruption is visible in flight tracking data. Several dozen international flights scheduled to reach Riyadh on Thursday evening were cancelled.

Flight disruption	Details
Global cancellations	At least 333 flights
Air India cancellations	Flights to and from Riyadh until October 10
IndiGo cancellations	Flights to Riyadh until October 10
Air India Express cancellations	Flights to and from Riyadh until October 10
Lufthansa Group suspension	Through October 16
Riyadh departures cancelled by 1500 GMT	49.7%

The 333 flight figure covers flights connecting with Riyadh globally. The cancellation data therefore extends well beyond Indian carriers.

Why have airlines cancelled Riyadh flights?

The airlines cited the security situation as the reason for suspending services. The cancellations came after repeated claims of attacks by the Iran backed Houthi group against Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure.

Early Thursday, the Houthis warned global airlines about operating in Saudi airspace, describing the area as a theater for its military operations.

The Houthis also claimed that they had targeted Riyadh airport for a third time on Thursday. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched two missiles at Riyadh airport, along with one missile targeting an airport in Najran and another targeting an airbase in Khamis Mushait.

A Saudi led military coalition had earlier announced that it had intercepted missiles during a previous attack.

The developments have added to wider concerns over air travel in the region. Recent US and Iran missile attacks have also raised concerns about regional security and their effect on markets.

What happened at Riyadh airport?

King Khalid International Airport asked passengers to check their flight status directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport. The airport issued the warning after multiple explosions were heard over Riyadh.

Smoke was also seen rising from a stationary aircraft at the airport, according to information cited in the source material. The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the airport, while Saudi authorities had earlier reported missile interceptions.

The airport's warning means passengers with scheduled departures or arrivals may face changes even when their airline has not yet announced a cancellation. Travellers have therefore been asked to confirm their flight status before reaching the airport.

Lufthansa extends Riyadh suspension

Lufthansa Group airlines have also suspended flights to Riyadh. The German aviation group said its Riyadh services would remain suspended through October 16, citing developments in the Middle East.

This extends the disruption beyond the October 10 suspension announced by the Indian carriers.

The difference in suspension dates also shows that airlines are making their own operational decisions based on their assessment of the security situation. Passengers travelling through Riyadh may therefore need to check individual airline schedules instead of relying only on airport level information.

Flight cancellations hit Saudi aviation network

Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed that 49.7% of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday. The data also indicated that another 31 cancellations were expected on Friday across Saudi airports.

Global flight tracking data showed several dozen international flights bound for Riyadh were cancelled on Thursday evening.

The disruption is therefore affecting both flights directly connected to Riyadh and the wider Saudi aviation network. The extent of cancellations could change as airlines review their schedules and security conditions.

Aviation indicator	Figure
Global Riyadh connected cancellations	At least 333
Riyadh departures cancelled by 1500 GMT	49.7%
Further Saudi airport cancellations expected Friday	31
Air India and IndiGo suspension	Until October 10
Lufthansa Group suspension	Through October 16

Three deaths reported in airport attacks

Saudi officials said on Wednesday that attacks claimed by the Houthis on Riyadh and Abha airports had killed three people.

The reported deaths are the first linked to the current offensive since Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces began a major ground and air operation against the Houthis.

The latest airport attacks have therefore added a direct human cost to the security concerns already affecting commercial aviation.

The situation is also relevant to businesses exposed to Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. Recent Saudi Arabia security developments have already increased attention on regional security and its possible economic effects.

What passengers should watch next

Passengers with Riyadh flights should monitor airline and airport updates before travelling. The immediate dates to watch are October 10 for Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express services, and October 16 for Lufthansa Group services.

The main developments to watch are:

• Whether airlines extend or shorten their suspension periods
• Whether additional international carriers cancel Riyadh services
• Whether Riyadh airport operations return to normal
• Whether further attacks or missile activity affect Saudi airspace
• Whether airlines introduce additional refunds or rescheduling options

The current cancellation figures can also change as airlines update schedules. Travellers should therefore rely on the latest status provided by their individual airline before going to the airport.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Air India cancel Riyadh flights?

Air India cancelled flights to Riyadh until October 10 because of the security situation in the region. Affected passengers are eligible for a full refund, according to the airline.

Why did IndiGo cancel Riyadh flights?

IndiGo cancelled its Riyadh flights until October 10 because of the evolving security situation. The cancellation is part of a wider disruption affecting international flights connected with Riyadh.

How many Riyadh flights were cancelled globally?

At least 333 flights connecting with Riyadh were cancelled globally. Flight tracking data also showed that 49.7% of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday.

How long will Lufthansa flights to Riyadh be suspended?

Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16. The group cited current developments in the Middle East for the suspension.

What happened at Riyadh airport?

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport asked passengers to check their flight status with airlines before travelling to the airport after multiple explosions were heard over the Saudi capital. The Houthis claimed to have targeted Riyadh airport with missiles.

Were there deaths in the Saudi airport attacks?

Saudi officials said attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports claimed by the Houthis killed three people on Wednesday. The reported deaths were the first linked to the current Saudi and allied Yemeni military offensive against the Houthis.