Air India Express suspends Riyadh services following Houthi airport strike claim

The airline announced the suspension of its Riyadh operations in response to security concerns following the militant group's statement. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared that the organization had launched an attack against the airport, one of the Middle East's major aviation hubs.

The flight cancellations affect Indian passengers and workers traveling between India and Saudi Arabia, a key route given the substantial Indian expatriate population in the Kingdom. Air India Express, a budget carrier subsidiary of Air India, operates multiple weekly services on this route, making the suspension a significant disruption for travelers.

The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has previously conducted drone and missile attacks on Saudi infrastructure. The group has repeatedly targeted aviation facilities and commercial shipping in the region as part of its ongoing conflict with Saudi-led coalition forces.

Air India Express stated that passengers booked on cancelled flights would be offered rebooking options or refunds. The airline indicated it would reassess the situation and resume normal operations once security conditions permit. No reports of damage or casualties at King Khalid International Airport have been confirmed by Saudi authorities as of press time.