New Delhi: Akasa Air has extended the suspension of its flight services to Riyadh and Jeddah until October 27, 2026, citing escalating military tensions in the Middle East and the need to prioritise passenger and crew safety.

The airline announced the extension in a post on X on Sunday, saying it had taken the decision after carefully assessing the evolving security situation. It added that developments were being monitored in real time and that further operational decisions would depend on how conditions change.

Passengers affected by the cancellations can choose between a full refund and rescheduling their journey without additional charges. Refunds will be credited to the original source of payment within seven days, according to the airline.

Passengers who purchased tickets through travel agents or other booking partners have been advised to contact them directly for assistance with refunds or changes to their travel plans.

The extension comes as security concerns in West Asia continue to disrupt commercial aviation. Air India and Air India Express have also extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24.

Akasa Air announces refund and rescheduling options

Akasa Air has provided passengers affected by the cancellations with two options: a full refund or rescheduling at no additional cost.

In its announcement, the airline said refunds would be returned to the original payment method within seven days. Passengers who prefer to travel on another date can reschedule their bookings without paying additional charges under the announced arrangement.

The airline also clarified that customers who booked through travel partners should approach those intermediaries directly for help.

Passengers should check their registered email addresses, mobile numbers and booking details for any additional communication from the airline. They should also confirm the status of their reservations before travelling to the airport.

The refund and rescheduling provisions are intended to help passengers manage the disruption while the airline assesses when services can safely resume.

Why has Akasa Air suspended flights to Saudi Arabia?

The suspension follows an escalation in military tensions across the Middle East, including reported missile and drone attacks involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia.

The evolving security situation has raised concerns about the safety of commercial aviation operating in and around affected areas. Airlines must consider potential threats to aircraft, airport operations and flight routes when deciding whether to operate services.

Akasa Air said its decision followed a careful assessment of the situation and reiterated that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.

The airline has not announced a confirmed date for resuming services before the October 27 deadline. Its decision will depend on further assessments of the regional security environment.

The suspension illustrates how geopolitical developments can affect commercial air travel even when passengers are travelling between destinations that are not directly involved in the conflict.

Air India and Air India Express extend suspensions

Akasa Air is not the only Indian airline to have extended its operational restrictions on Saudi Arabian routes.

Air India and Air India Express have extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24, 2026.

The Tata Group-owned carriers had previously scheduled the suspension to continue until October 20, following an earlier deadline of October 17. The latest extension reflects continuing concerns about security conditions in the region.

The suspensions affect services connecting India with three major Saudi Arabian cities. These routes are used by a range of passengers, including business travellers, tourists, expatriates and people travelling for religious purposes.

Both airlines have said they are monitoring developments and will keep passengers informed about further changes to their operations.

The different deadlines announced by Akasa Air and the Tata Group carriers mean passengers need to check the latest information from the airline operating their specific flight rather than assuming that all services will resume on the same date.

What should affected passengers do?

Passengers booked on Akasa Air flights to Riyadh or Jeddah up to October 27 should first verify whether their specific service has been cancelled.

Those who wish to cancel their travel can opt for the full refund announced by the airline. The amount is expected to be credited to the original source of payment within seven days.

Passengers who still need to travel can choose the rescheduling option, which Akasa Air says will be available without additional charges for affected bookings.

Customers who booked through a travel agent or another booking partner should contact that provider directly. They should keep their booking reference, ticket details and payment information available when requesting assistance.

Passengers travelling on Air India or Air India Express should separately check the status of their flights, given that those airlines have announced a different suspension deadline.

Travellers should avoid making airport journeys based solely on an earlier itinerary or a previously announced resumption date. The latest information from the operating airline should be treated as the reference for individual bookings.

Safety remains the main consideration

Akasa Air said it would continue monitoring the regional situation and assessing conditions in real time.

Airlines operating international routes must weigh commercial requirements against safety considerations, particularly when military activity creates uncertainty around airspace, airports and flight paths.

A suspension can be extended if conditions remain uncertain, while the resumption of services may depend on updated security assessments and operational approvals.

For passengers, this can mean changes to travel plans at short notice. Refund and rescheduling options therefore become important in limiting the financial and logistical impact of cancellations.

The latest announcements also underline the importance of checking airline communications regularly when travelling to destinations affected by regional instability.

When will Akasa Air flights resume?

Akasa Air’s current suspension covers services to Riyadh and Jeddah until October 27, 2026. The airline has not confirmed that flights will resume immediately after that date.

The next steps will depend on the security assessment and any further announcements from the carrier. Passengers should therefore avoid treating October 27 as a guaranteed restart date.

Air India and Air India Express have set October 24 as the end of their currently announced suspension period for Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, but their operations will also depend on developments in the region.

For now, affected Akasa Air passengers can choose a full refund or reschedule their travel without additional charges. The airline has said refunds will be processed to the original payment method within seven days.

As the security situation continues to evolve, passengers are advised to follow official airline updates and confirm their flight status before making further travel arrangements.