Saudi Arabia-Houthi Conflict: Indian Embassy In Riyadh Issues Advisory Air India, Indigo, Akasa Cancel Flights

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors when necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities amid a sharp escalation in hostilities involving the Iran-aligned Houthi group.

In an advisory issued on Thursday (October 8), the embassy urged Indians to avoid circulating or reposting videos or news related to the ongoing events.

“In view of the current situation, all Indian nationals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the embassy said.

The advisory comes as the security situation in Saudi Arabia has deteriorated in recent weeks, with drones and missiles being used against border areas, airports, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.

Indian Embassy issues safety advisory

The Embassy of India in Riyadh, along with the Consulate in Jeddah, said its operations were continuing normally. Its outsourced services through VFS were also functioning as usual.

The embassy said it would issue further updates and advisories as necessary.

Indian nationals requiring assistance can contact the 24x7 helpline of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra at 8002471234.

The embassy also urged the Indian community to follow its official social media channels for updates.

Riyadh, Abha airports targeted

According to Saudi authorities, attacks over the past two days have killed two people and injured 28 at Abha International Airport, while another attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed one person and injured eight others.

India on Thursday strongly condemned the attacks, saying the targeting of civilian infrastructure was“completely unacceptable”.

The Houthis claimed on Thursday that they had struck Riyadh airport and warned workers to stay away from Saudi energy facilities.

Reuters reported that witnesses saw a thick column of smoke and flames rising from the Riyadh airport area. A witness and people briefed on the matter said a commercial aircraft had caught fire, although there was no immediate official confirmation of the cause.

Saudi authorities said debris from an intercepted Houthi missile landed in Riyadh, damaging a kindergarten and a medical complex.

Also Read | Saudi Arabia says 3 killed in airport attacks claimed by Houthis | What we know India-Saudi flight services disrupted

Indian airlines have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh following attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia, with Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air suspending services until October 10 and IndiGo cancelling its Riyadh flights until October 9.

Several India-bound and Saudi-bound flights were affected, including Air India and Air India Express flights that were already en route to Riyadh on Thursday and subsequently returned.

Air India Express cancels Riyadh flights till October 10

Air India Express said it had suspended flights to and from Riyadh until October 10 in view of the evolving security situation.

“In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10. Affected guests are being offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the airline said in a statement.

Air India Express operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from four Indian cities - Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode.

Air India Riyadh services also suspended

Air India has also cancelled its Riyadh flights until October 10.

The airline operates seven weekly flights to Riyadh from Delhi and Mumbai.

“The affected guests are being offered a full refund on cancellation. We are closely monitoring the situation,” Air India said.

Air India also confirmed that AI2243, operating from Delhi to Riyadh, returned to the national capital on Thursday. The flight was subsequently cancelled, with passengers offered full refunds.

Akasa extends Riyadh flight cancellations

Akasa Air has also extended the suspension of its Riyadh services until October 10.

“In view of the evolving security situation in Riyadh, we have extended the cancellation of our Riyadh flights till October 10,” the airline said in a post on X.

“We continue to closely monitor and assess the situation on a real-time basis,” it added.

Earlier on Thursday, Akasa had cancelled QP 523 Kochi-Riyadh and QP 524 Riyadh-Kochi flights.

IndiGo cancels Riyadh flights till October 9

IndiGo has cancelled its Riyadh flights until October 9 as the airline assesses the security situation.

In a statement, the airline said it was closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Saudi Arabia seeks allied support

The latest attacks are part of a wider escalation linked to the renewed fighting in Yemen.

The Houthis say they are targeting Saudi Arabia because of its support for forces belonging to Yemen's internationally recognised government. Riyadh, meanwhile, is backing an offensive by government forces against the Houthis.

The Yemen conflict had largely remained frozen under a ceasefire since 2022, but fighting has intensified in recent weeks.

The Houthis have made gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including areas near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi-backed forces have since launched a counteroffensive to regain territory.

Reuters reported that the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh and another directed towards Khamis Mushayt, which hosts a major Saudi airbase.

The renewed conflict has also created a growing humanitarian crisis, with around 200,000 people reportedly displaced since the fighting resumed.

(With PTI, Reuters inputs)

Also Read | India condemns Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia airports: 'Unacceptable'

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