Riyadh attack fallout: India warns nationals, airlines halt Saudi flights till October 10

India has advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and follow local authorities' instructions after attacks targeting airports in Riyadh and Abha, while Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air announced flight cancellations amid the worsening security situation.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised Indian nationals in the Kingdom to remain alert and vigilant following the recent attacks in the country.

The advisory urged Indians to stay indoors when necessary and follow instructions issued by Saudi authorities through official channels. The embassy also advised nationals against recording, circulating or reposting videos and news related to the ongoing events.

India's advisory comes after attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, saying that targeting civilian infrastructure was "completely unacceptable". It also expressed condolences to families of those killed and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Air India cancels Riyadh flights until October 10

Air India and Air India Express have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10 as airlines respond to the evolving security situation.

Air India Express said affected passengers would be offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund if they cancelled their bookings. The airline operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode.

Air India has also suspended its Riyadh services until October 10. It operates seven weekly flights to Riyadh from Delhi and Mumbai.

An Air India flight, AI2243, travelling from Delhi to Riyadh on Thursday returned to Delhi before the service was subsequently cancelled. The airline said affected passengers would receive full refunds.

Akasa Air also cancels Riyadh flights

Akasa Air also cancelled its Kochi-Riyadh and Riyadh-Kochi services on Thursday.

The airline said the cancellations were due to the evolving security situation in Riyadh and that it was monitoring developments in real time. It said further changes would be announced depending on the situation.

The cancellations add to wider disruptions affecting air travel in and around Saudi Arabia following the recent missile and drone attacks.

Why the Riyadh attacks matter for Indian travellers

The developments have direct implications for Indian nationals living in Saudi Arabia as well as passengers travelling between India and the Kingdom.

With airlines cancelling services and monitoring the security situation, passengers have been advised to check their flight status before travelling. Those already in Saudi Arabia have been asked to rely on official local advisories and avoid sharing unverified material related to the attacks.

The latest developments also highlight the wider impact of the escalating hostilities involving the Iran-backed Houthi group and Saudi Arabia, with airports and other civilian infrastructure increasingly affected.

The immediate impact for Indian travellers is likely to be flight disruption and changes to scheduled services rather than a blanket suspension of travel between India and Saudi Arabia. Airlines are taking decisions based on the evolving security situation around Riyadh.

The Indian government's advisory is focused on the safety of nationals already in Saudi Arabia, while the airlines' decisions affect passengers travelling to or from Riyadh. Travellers should therefore check directly with their airline before heading to the airport, as flight schedules can change at short notice.

The situation also comes after India publicly condemned attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport, underscoring concerns over the targeting of civilian infrastructure.