The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
India urges nationals in Saudi Arabia to stay indoors amid flight disruptions
India has renewed its safety advisory for nationals in Saudi Arabia after the Riyadh airport attack. The warning comes as six injured Indians remain hospitalised and flight disruptions persist.
India has advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow local authorities and stay indoors during aerial attacks, as flight disruptions persist after an attack on Riyadh airport.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said six Indian nationals injured in the October 10 strike remained hospitalized, with two in intensive care, one in a High Dependency Unit, and three in a general ward.
Riyadh's international airport remains closed to flights, while airports in Dammam, Jeddah, and Medina continue to operate with intermittent disruptions, according to the embassy.
Several Indian airlines have extended flight suspensions to and from Saudi Arabia, with Air India and Air India Express suspending all routes until October 20; Akasa Air suspending Riyadh flights until October 24 and Jeddah flights until October 21; IndiGo suspending all routes until October 24. Saudia and Flynas are listed as continuing some services on certain corridors.
The embassy noted that Flydeal announced Dammam–Mumbai flights for October 17 and 18, and suggested that Indian nationals needing urgent departure could consider Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar, subject to visa requirements.
Travelers planning to visit Saudi Arabia, including for Umrah, were urged to anticipate ongoing disruptions and possible flight cancellations that could extend stays. The advisory reiterates staying indoors during aerial attacks and avoiding sharing information, photos, or videos related to the events.