Riyadh Airport Remains Shut: India Issues Fresh Advisory for Nationals in Saudi Arabia
India issued a fresh advisory on Friday (October 16, 2026) for its nationals in Saudi Arabia, asking them to follow instructions from local authorities and to stay indoors in the event of an aerial attack, while warning travellers, including Umrah pilgrims, of continuing flight disruptions and the possibility of extended stays.
In its updated advisory, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said two Indian nationals injured in the October 10 attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remain in the intensive care unit. One is in the High Dependency Unit and three are in a normal ward, the embassy said.
Riyadh's international airport remains closed to flight operations, while airports in Dammam, Jeddah and Medina continue to operate, although some disruptions persist, according to the embassy. Indian carriers have extended the suspension of flights to and from Saudi Arabia.
Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah have been cancelled until October 20. Akasa Air has suspended flights to and from Riyadh until October 24 and Jeddah until October 21, while IndiGo flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah have been cancelled until October 24.
The embassy said Saudia continues to operate scheduled flights to Indian destinations from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, and that Flynas is operating scheduled flights on the Dammam-Lucknow sector. Flydeal has announced the launch of Dammam-Mumbai flights for October 17 and 18.
Indian nationals who need to leave urgently may consider transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to obtaining the necessary visas, the embassy said.
It also advised Indian nationals planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, including for Umrah, to take into account the ongoing disruptions to flights and the possibility of cancellations that could result in extended stays.
In an advisory issued on Thursday, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah specifically advised those planning to undertake Umrah in the coming days to review their travel plans if they faced uncertainty over arrangements, particularly for flights through Jeddah and Madinah.
For Indian nationals already affected by cancellations, the consulate asked those seeking assistance to keep their passport and visa details, contact information for their Saudi Umrah service provider and Indian travel agency, airline and booking reference, and, where applicable, details of the affected group, its location and coordinator readily available.
The consulate said its control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah remained operational to assist affected Indian nationals. It also cautioned people against sharing personal details in public comments on social media, asking them to use official assistance channels instead.
The embassy said all Indian nationals should continue following instructions from local authorities, stay indoors in case of an aerial attack, and refrain from filming, publishing or sharing any information, photos or videos related to the ongoing events.
The October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed an Indian national and injured several others, including 11 Indians, according to the earlier report.
The attack comes amid tensions in West Asia, and the latest advisory highlights concerns over civilian safety and disruption to regional air travel. The embassy did not identify those responsible for the October 10 attack. It said the updated advisory was issued in continuation of previous advisories released in recent days.
