New Delhi: Air India and Air India Express have cancelled their flights to and from Riyadh until October 10 following reported attacks targeting airports in Saudi Arabia.
The decision came after Riyadh and Abha airports were reportedly targeted by Houthi fighters amid heightened security concerns in the region.
According to sources, some Air India and Air India Express flights heading towards Riyadh on Thursday were forced to turn back.
Air India Express said its Riyadh flights had been cancelled until October 10 in view of the changing situation in the region. Affected passengers have been offered the option to reschedule their journey without additional charges or cancel their tickets for a full refund.
Air India Express operates 16 flights a week to Riyadh from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode.
Air India has also suspended its Riyadh services until October 10. The airline operates seven weekly flights to Riyadh from Delhi and Mumbai and said affected passengers would be eligible for a full refund if they cancelled their tickets.
Air India flight AI2243, which was travelling from Delhi to Riyadh on Thursday, also returned to the national capital. The flight was subsequently cancelled, with passengers offered full refunds.
The airlines said they were closely monitoring the situation and would review operations based on developments in the region.
