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Saudi airport attacks: India tells nationals to stay indoors as Riyadh flights are cancelled

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After the deadly Houthi-claimed Saudi airport attacks at Abha and Riyadh, India on Thursday, 8 October 2026, condemned the strikes, asked its nationals in Saudi Arabia to stay alert and indoors as necessary, and saw Air India and IndiGo cancel or divert flights to Riyadh, the Hindustan Times and NDTV reported.

Saudi airport attacks: what happened at Abha and Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said two people were killed and 28 injured at Abha International Airport, and one person was killed and eight injured at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, in attacks on 6 and 7 October, the BBC reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility. On Thursday, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed a fresh ballistic missile strike on the Riyadh airport, and the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted three Houthi ballistic missiles, two of them headed towards Riyadh, Al Jazeera reported.

The Saudi-led coalition has said the airport attacks “will not go unpunished” and that it struck more than 80 Houthi military sites in Yemen. Saree said the strikes were a response to Saudi air raids.

Key facts

  • 3 killed and 36 injured at Abha and Riyadh airports (GACA)
  • Air India cancelled all Riyadh flights until 10 October
  • Indian embassy, Jeddah consulate and VFS centres working normally

India’s advisory and condemnation

The Embassy of India in Riyadh advised all Indian nationals to “remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary” and follow local authorities, and asked them not to circulate videos or news about the events.

“The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable.”

Ministry of External Affairs, 8 October 2026

The MEA also offered condolences and said India stands in solidarity with the people and government of Saudi Arabia.

Flights to Riyadh disrupted

Air India’s Delhi-Riyadh flight AI2243 returned to Delhi and was cancelled, and the airline cancelled all Riyadh flights until 10 October with full refunds, The Hindu reported. Air India Express also cancelled its Riyadh services, while an IndiGo Hyderabad-Riyadh flight was diverted to Dammam.

Why it matters

Saudi Arabia is home to a very large Indian community, and Riyadh is a major route for Indian travellers and workers. Passengers booked on Riyadh flights should check flight status before leaving for the airport.

Source: Hindustan Times, NDTV, The Hindu, BBC, Al Jazeera

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