New Delhi- India on Tuesday advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and follow local authorities’ instructions amid an escalating security situation, after an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed an Indian national and injured several others.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged citizens to remain calm, stay indoors in the event of an aerial attack and rely on official channels for updates. It also cautioned them against circulating videos or news related to the ongoing hostilities.
The advisory follows the death of Mohammed Yousef Ali in the October 10 attack on the airport, which also left 11 other Indian nationals injured, according to the embassy.
India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and embassy officials attended Ali’s funeral in Riyadh on October 12, the mission said, offering condolences to his family.
Of the injured Indians, four remained in intensive care, four were receiving treatment in general wards and three had been discharged, the embassy said. Officials were visiting hospitals and maintaining contact with the injured and their families to provide assistance.
The attacks come amid escalating hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, with reports of drone and missile strikes targeting infrastructure in the kingdom. The latest developments have disrupted air travel and prompted heightened security precautions.
Airlines suspend Saudi flights until October 17
India’s major airlines have suspended flights to several Saudi cities until October 17, citing the evolving security situation and risks to safe operations.
IndiGo said services to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina had been cancelled until that date. Air India and Air India Express suspended flights connecting Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, while Akasa Air halted services to and from Riyadh and Jeddah.
The airlines said affected passengers were being offered refunds or complimentary rescheduling, depending on the carrier’s policy. They added that they were monitoring developments and would assess when services could safely resume.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has announced the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Indian Embassy said.
Flight services at other major Saudi airports, including Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, were continuing, although disruptions remained, the mission added.
Scheduled flights operated by Saudi carrier Saudia were continuing from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina. Flynas was operating scheduled services on the Dammam-Lucknow route, according to the embassy.
The mission advised Indians to remain in contact with their airlines and confirm flight status before travelling to airports.
Alternative routes and visa relief
Indians seeking to leave Saudi Arabia during the disruption may consider flights from neighbouring Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and Bahrain, the embassy said. Such travel would depend on obtaining the necessary visas under the respective countries’ rules.
The embassy also said Saudi authorities would not impose fines on Indian nationals who entered the kingdom on visit, tourist, Umrah or business visas but were forced to overstay because flights were unavailable.
However, those whose visas had expired were advised to leave the kingdom as soon as flights became available.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah issued a similar advisory, particularly for Umrah pilgrims travelling to and from Jeddah and Medina. It urged travellers to check with airlines before leaving for airports and remain in contact with travel agents and tour operators regarding cancellations, rescheduling, accommodation and alternative arrangements.
Both missions said they were coordinating with airlines and local authorities to assist affected Indian nationals.
24-hour helplines opened
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has opened a 24-hour control room to assist citizens affected by the disruption.
It provided the following contact details:
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah also operates a round-the-clock control room for assistance.
The latest disruption comes after airlines temporarily suspended services to Riyadh last week following reported attacks on the airport. The extension of cancellations through October 17 leaves passengers facing continued uncertainty over travel plans, particularly those undertaking religious pilgrimages or seeking to return to India.
