Travel update: Saudi airports and Umrah (29 October 2026)

Last updated 29 October 2026. We will update this page as the situation changes.

If you are planning Umrah in the coming weeks, this is what has happened at Saudi airports, what airlines and governments have done, and what it means for your plans. It is a summary of published reports, not official advice. Always follow your own government's travel advice.

What happened

Between 6 and 12 October 2026, Houthi missiles and drones struck Saudi airports. Riyadh was the worst hit; Wikipedia's summary of reports puts the death toll at 20 or more. Regional reports also name attacks affecting Abha, Dammam, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jizan. Jeddah saw large numbers of cancellations, with more than 150 flights cancelled on 11 October and further mass cancellations around 13 October.

We have found no official Saudi suspension of Umrah visas.

Airline suspensions

Indian airlines (as of 29 October 2026):

• IndiGo: Jeddah, Madinah, Dammam and Riyadh flights cancelled until 31 October.
• Air India and Air India Express: Jeddah suspended until 31 October; Riyadh and Dammam until 7 November. One free rebooking for Jeddah travel up to 14 November.
• Akasa Air: Jeddah suspended until 10 November; Riyadh until 30 November.

One report suggested IndiGo had extended its Jeddah suspension to 14 November; we could not confirm it. Check with the airline.

Biman Bangladesh suspended Riyadh and Dammam flights but kept Jeddah and Madinah running and added extra Jeddah flights (17 October). From the UAE, operators told Khaleej Times on 23 October that flights were running as planned, though new bookings had slowed.

Government advice

• UK: the FCDO (updated 27 October) advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia and says further attacks on airports are very likely. FCDO advice
• Singapore: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (13 October) advises Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia. MUIS (14 October) advises Umrah pilgrims to consider postponing and asked Umrah agents to allow flexible postponement. MUIS advisory
• Australia: advises Australians to reconsider travel to Saudi airports. Smartraveller
• Others: the US, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan were also among the governments that issued warnings, according to Al Jazeera. Canadians can read the Government of Canada advice.

Pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia

Some groups have been stranded. Kolkata pilgrims who flew Air India via Delhi were stuck in Makkah after the Jeddah suspension, and their ticketing agency cut the refund it had promised. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has run 24-hour control rooms in Jeddah and Makkah for stranded Umrah pilgrims. The Saudi Pilgrim Care Centre is on 1966. Contact your own embassy or consulate and your operator.

What it means for planning

1. Check your government's travel advice before you book and again before you fly. Advice can change quickly.
2. Ask operators for flexible dates, and what happens if your flight is cancelled or moved.
3. Get refund terms in writing. Who refunds what, and how quickly, if the airline cancels or if you decide to postpone.
4. Check your travel insurance. Read what it covers when your government advises against travel.
5. Know your rights. In Australia, for example, the ACCC says consumer guarantees are unlikely to apply when a third party such as a government closing airspace causes a cancellation; then your refund depends on the booking terms. Elsewhere, schemes such as ATOL in the UK and the TICO and FICAV funds in Canada protect you if a registered seller fails, which is another reason to book with a licensed operator.
6. Think about routing. Riyadh and Dammam suspensions run longer than Jeddah's in several cases. Ask which airport your package uses.

If you send us an enquiry, we will pass it to a licensed operator in your country, who can explain their current terms. We will keep this page updated.

Sources

• Al Jazeera, 12 October 2026: countries warn against travel to Saudi Arabia
• Gulf Business: Saudi Arabia flight cancellations
• Wikipedia: October 2026 attacks on Saudi Arabia airports
• UK FCDO travel advice: Saudi Arabia
• Siasat: Air India and IndiGo extend suspensions
• Tribune India: IndiGo extends cancellations; Indian Consulate advisory
• Wego: IndiGo Jeddah flights status and rebooking
• ETV Bharat: stranded West Bengal Umrah pilgrims
• MUIS advisory on Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia
• bdnews24: Biman Saudi flights
• Khaleej Times, 23 October 2026: UAE residents travelling for Umrah
• ACCC: travel delays and cancellations

Questions pilgrims ask