Airlines Suspend Riyadh Flights Amid Airport Disruption

Air India and Air India Express cancelled Riyadh flights through October 10, while Lufthansa Group suspended its Riyadh services through October 16, as airlines responded to security concerns and widespread flight disruption at the Saudi capital’s airport on Thursday. IndiGo also cancelled its Riyadh flights through October 9, according to reports, and Akasa Air cancelled two Kochi-Riyadh services scheduled for October 8. The airlines’ decisions followed reports of attacks on Saudi airports and a Houthi claim that the group had struck King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed that a missile hit the airport. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two missiles launched toward Riyadh, according to one report. Air India said its Delhi-to-Riyadh flight returned to Delhi on Thursday and was subsequently cancelled. Air India and Air India Express offered affected passengers refunds, while Air India Express also offered complimentary rescheduling. Akasa Air said passengers on its cancelled Kochi-Riyadh and Riyadh-Kochi flights could seek a refund or reschedule without an additional charge.