Air India Delhi–Riyadh Flight Turns Back Mid-Air as Houthi Attacks Hit Saudi Airportsਹੂਥੀ ਹਮਲੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਰਿਆਧ ਉਡਾਣਾਂ ਰੱਦ

An Air India flight from Delhi to Riyadh turned back mid-air on Thursday, October 8, as Yemen's Houthi movement claimed fresh missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and warned global airlines against using Saudi airspace. Indian carriers Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express cancelled their flights to Riyadh until October 10, reports said.

What happened on the Air India flight?

The Air India service from Delhi to Riyadh returned to its point of departure mid-way after the attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, reports said on Thursday. The Houthis had warned airlines against flying over Saudi airspace, and the carriers moved quickly to suspend operations as the security situation worsened.

Which Indian airlines cancelled flights to Riyadh?

Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express cancelled their flights to Saudi Arabia's Riyadh until October 10 after the Houthis attacked King Khalid International Airport, according to Inshorts, citing the situation on Thursday morning. The cancellations came as flight-tracking data showed widespread disruption at the Saudi capital's main airport.

How bad was the disruption at Riyadh airport?

Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 showed 114 delayed departures at King Khalid International Airport as of 12:17 pm Saudi time on Thursday, representing 29 per cent of scheduled services. A further 20 flights, or 5 per cent, had been cancelled, with the average departure delay standing at 35 minutes, Gulf Business reported. The disruption affected domestic as well as international services, with departures briefly halted and some airborne services rerouted or placed in holding patterns.

What did Saudi authorities say about the attacks?

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7 killed three people and injured 36 others. At Riyadh airport, a Sudanese resident was killed and eight people were injured, including five Saudi citizens. At Abha, two female residents of Moroccan and Algerian nationality were killed and 28 others were injured. GACA said both attacks damaged airport facilities and that it was assessing the damage and protecting passengers and staff.

What did the Houthis claim?

The Houthi group claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, saying drones targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and disrupted air traffic, while missiles and drones hit Abha International Airport and the Khamis Mushait military base, according to The Indian Awaaz. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a recorded message that the strike was part of a wider campaign against Saudi infrastructure. The group also said it targeted Aden International Airport in Yemen. The UAE's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on civilians and facilities and reaffirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Why does this matter for travellers from India?

Saudi Arabia is one of the busiest Gulf corridors for Indian travellers, with thousands of workers, pilgrims and families flying between Indian cities and the kingdom every week. The halt to Riyadh services comes at a time when many households plan travel for the festive season, and passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for rebooking options. The Houthis have also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, signalling that the confrontation could keep regional transport and shipping under strain.

Why did Air India turn its Delhi-Riyadh flight back mid-air?

The aircraft was diverted after the Houthis attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and issued warnings to airlines against flying over Saudi airspace. Airlines chose to return the flight rather than land in the middle of a security alert.

Which Indian airlines cancelled their Riyadh flights?

Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express cancelled their flights to Riyadh until October 10, according to reports on Thursday, after the Houthi attacks on the Saudi capital's airport.

How many people were killed in the airport attacks?

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority confirmed three people were killed and 36 injured in attacks on the Riyadh and Abha airports on October 6 and 7, with damage caused to airport facilities.

What should passengers booked to Saudi Arabia do?

Passengers should check the status of their booking directly with the airline and look for rebooking or refund options, as schedules remain uncertain while the security situation develops.