Air India Turns AI2243 Back to Delhi as Indian Airlines Halt Riyadh Flights Until October 10

Air India flight AI2243 from Delhi to Riyadh returned to Delhi on October 8, 2026, and the airline then canceled it. Four Indian airlines have since stopped flying to the Saudi capital after Houthi attacks on Saudi airports.

Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air canceled Riyadh flights through October 10, and IndiGo through October 9. Air India said affected passengers are being offered a full refund, according to PTI.

What Each Airline Has Canceled

The dates below are the ones each airline gave on October 8, along with the refund terms each one stated.

Airline	Riyadh service affected	Canceled through	Passenger options
Air India	7 weekly flights from Delhi and Mumbai	October 10	Full refund
Air India Express	16 weekly flights from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode	October 10	Free rescheduling or full refund
IndiGo	All flights to and from Riyadh	October 9	Free rescheduling or full refund through IndiGo Plan B
Akasa Air	Kochi to Riyadh (QP 523) and return (QP 524), then all Riyadh flights	October 10	Full refund within seven days, or free rescheduling

“In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until 10 October,” Air India Express said. An IndiGo spokesperson said the airline “has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh until 09 October 2026,” Bombay Samachar reported.

Akasa first dropped only its Kochi flights for October 8, then extended the suspension to October 10. Passengers who booked through a travel agent are told to contact that agent.

What Happened to AI2243

AI2243 is Air India’s afternoon service, usually flown with an Airbus A320, from Delhi to King Khalid International Airport. FlightAware’s history shows the October 8 flight departing Delhi at 2:41 p.m. local time and logging Delhi as its destination, so it came back without reaching Riyadh.

Air India’s statement did not say where the jet turned around. PTI reported that Air India Express flights already on the way to Riyadh also turned back that day, citing unnamed sources.

Why Riyadh Is Off the Map This Week

Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority said attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports over two days had killed three people and injured 36. On October 8, the Houthis claimed a further ballistic missile strike on King Khalid International, and a Saudia airliner burned at the airport.

Saudi officials had no immediate comment on that claim, while the coalition said two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh were intercepted, according to AP reporting carried by The Times of Israel. Lufthansa also suspended Riyadh flights through October 16.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has told nationals to stay alert, stay indoors when necessary and follow local authorities, and says its 24-hour helpline is 8002471234.

What Passengers Can Do

All four airlines offer a full refund on a canceled flight, and Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa also offer free rescheduling. Because the suspensions are short, rebooking onto a flight after October 10 may be the faster option if the airline confirms that flight is operating.

Air India and Akasa both said they are monitoring the situation, and Akasa said “further changes will be notified accordingly.”