Air India, IndiGo cancel and divert Riyadh flights after missile threat
Major Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo have cancelled or diverted flights to Riyadh following a missile threat near the international airport. Carriers are offering refunds and monitoring the evolving security situation in the region.
Why it matters
The disruption of international air travel underscores the impact of regional instability on global logistics and passenger safety.
Air India Group and IndiGo on Thursday (October 8, 2026) cancelled and diverted several services to Riyadh as carriers monitored an evolving regional situation, disrupting travel between India and the Saudi capital. The disruption comes after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels attacked Saudi Arabia, with a missile fired towards Riyadh International Airport.
Air India said its flight AI2243, operating from Delhi to Riyadh, returned to Delhi on Thursday in the interest of passenger and crew safety. The service was subsequently cancelled, with full refunds offered to passengers.
The airline also announced that it was cancelling all flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the developing situation in the region. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered full refunds, the airline said, adding that it was closely monitoring developments.
Air India Express separately announced that it had cancelled its Riyadh services until October 10.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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