New Delhi/Kochi: Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and Saudia have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, or at least for Thursday, amid security disruptions following reported attacks at airports in Saudi Arabia.
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said two flights scheduled to depart from Kochi for Riyadh on Thursday had been cancelled. Akasa Air flight QP523 was scheduled to depart at 7.55 pm, while Saudia flight SV775 was scheduled for 9.40 pm.
Passengers booked on the two flights have been advised to contact the respective airlines' customer service centres for updates and alternative travel arrangements, a CIAL spokesperson said.
In a statement on Thursday, Air India Express said it had cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10 amid the evolving security situation in the region. Affected passengers are being offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation, the airline said.
Air India has also cancelled its services to and from Riyadh until October 10, offering affected passengers full refunds on cancellation.
Air India Express operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from four Indian cities — Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode — while Air India operates seven weekly services from Delhi and Mumbai.
Air India said its AI2243 flight from Delhi to Riyadh returned to the national capital on Thursday and was subsequently cancelled. Air India Express flights en route to Riyadh also returned on Thursday, sources said.
Akasa Air, in a post on X, said it had cancelled its QP523 Kochi-Riyadh and QP524 Riyadh-Kochi services on Thursday. The airline said it was monitoring the situation in real time and would notify passengers of further changes.
The cancellations came amid reports of explosions in Riyadh, including a blast at King Khalid International Airport. Saudi Arabia's airports in Riyadh and Abha reportedly came under attack by Houthi militants.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen claimed responsibility for a new attack on the Riyadh airport, saying a ballistic missile had caused damage.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh, along with another missile fired towards Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The airlines said they were monitoring the evolving security situation and would keep passengers informed of further changes.