Air India, AI Express extend Saudi Arabia flight suspensions through October

Air India and Air India Express have announced the extension of flight cancellations to Saudi Arabian destinations through October 24, as multiple Indian carriers reassess their operations in the region.

The suspension marks an escalation of service disruptions to Saudi Arabia, following similar announcements earlier this week by competitors IndiGo and Akasa Air, who had already halted their respective services to Saudi cities.

The reasons behind the coordinated cancellations from Indian carriers remain unclear, though industry observers note such simultaneous actions typically reflect operational, regulatory, or commercial challenges affecting the Saudi Arabia-India air corridor.

The extended suspension period through late October will impact connectivity between India's major metros and key Saudi Arabian business and tourism hubs. Passengers with existing bookings are expected to be offered rebooking options or refunds as per airline policies.

The development represents a significant disruption to air travel between India and Saudi Arabia, one of the key bilateral aviation routes serving millions of Indian expatriates and business travelers in the kingdom annually.