Delhi-Riyadh Flight Turns Back Mid-Air Over Gujarat
An Air India flight operating from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was forced to turn around mid-flight on Thursday following reports of a missile attack on the Saudi capital’s primary aviation hub. Flight AI2243 had departed Delhi and was traversing Indian airspace over Gujarat when airline operations and flight crews received critical security updates regarding escalating aerial threats over Saudi airspace. Prioritizing passenger and crew safety, the flight commander executed a turnback, safely landing the aircraft back in New Delhi.
Houthi Missile Strike Claims Trigger Aviation Emergency
The sudden mid-air turnback was triggered by claims from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, which announced that it had launched targeted missile strikes against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as well as military and civilian infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. Reports of multiple explosions and immediate airspace disruptions prompted civil aviation authorities and international carriers to re-evaluate flight paths into the Kingdom. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree issued a public warning to international commercial airlines, cautioning against operating within Saudi airspace during ongoing military escalations.
Air India and Major Indian Carriers Suspend Riyadh Flights
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express announced a complete suspension of all flight operations to and from Riyadh until October 10, 2026. Other major Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, quickly followed suit by cancelling scheduled flights and diverting airborne services. An IndiGo flight traveling from Hyderabad to Riyadh was diverted to Dammam. Airlines confirmed that affected passengers will be provided with full refunds or complimentary rescheduling, while aviation teams monitor the safety situation continuously.
Indian Embassy Issues Security Advisory for Citizens in Saudi Arabia
With tensions mounting across the region, the Embassy of India in Riyadh issued an urgent advisory to the large Indian expatriate community residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Indian nationals have been advised to exercise heightened caution, avoid non-essential movement, remain indoors when necessary, and strictly adhere to official security guidelines issued by Saudi local authorities. The Indian government also strongly condemned the targeting of civilian airport infrastructure, expressing firm solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offering condolences to those impacted by the regional escalations.
