Air India and Air India Express have extended their suspension of flights to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until October 24, 2026, according to October 17 reporting by The Times of India quoting the airline’s advisory.
The newer notice supersedes the October 20 deadline in October 16 reporting by India’s public broadcaster, Akashvani. Travelers should use the latest airline message for their booking rather than an older disruption headline.
Which journeys are affected?
The reported extension concerns the two airlines’ services to and from these three Saudi cities. It is not evidence that every airline has stopped serving Saudi Arabia, or a live confirmation of any airport’s operating status.
Nor does the October 24 deadline guarantee that flights will restart on October 25. Confirm the operating airline and every segment before traveling to the airport.
Who qualifies for a date change?
The October 17 advisory, reproduced in the reporting, covers confirmed Air India or Air India Express bookings issued on or before October 15, for travel from October 9 to October 25. It offers a one-time complimentary date change on the respective airline for travel up to November 10.
A different option is travel from an alternative GCC station served by the passenger’s airline, subject to availability. The advisory makes passengers responsible for reaching that station and meeting visa and entry requirements. Do not arrange a cross-border transfer before confirming those requirements and the replacement flight.
Refund or replacement journey?
The report also says passengers whose flights have been canceled can choose a full refund if they do not wish to travel. Before selecting an option, ask the airline or issuing agent what it will do to the remaining flights in your booking.
Keep the cancellation message, ticket details and any replacement confirmation together. A new airport or departure date can also change hotel and onward-connection plans.
For background, see our Riyadh disruption report. Our KLM suspension guide and Delta Riyadh postponement guide describe separate airline policies; their dates do not apply automatically to Air India tickets.
Reporting checked October 18, 2026. This is an extension announced October 17, not a new cancellation announcement today. Check your airline’s current advisory before acting.
Archive/context: Air India A350 at Wings India, January 18, 2024—not Saudi Arabia or a cancelled flight. Pramodkraj12 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Resized and compressed to WebP.
