Dubai-based carrier flydubai announced on 23 October that it has suspended services to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha until at least 29 October, citing “the prevailing situation.” Although the airline did not specify security reasons, the move follows a drone attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October that killed one Indian national and wounded several others. The cancellations ripple through India’s travel ecosystem because tens of thousands of workers and Umrah pilgrims rely on onward connections via Dubai. Travel agents in Kochi and Hyderabad reported a spike in re-routing requests within hours of the announcement; alternative seats on Emirates and Saudia are scarce and priced 25-30 % higher. Indian employers with staff on rotational assignments in Saudi Arabia should review duty-of-care protocols, confirm employee whereabouts and prepare contingency housing for those stranded in the UAE. Cargo forwarders moving just-in-time components to Saudi plants are also bracing for delays as belly-hold capacity shrinks. Flydubai said affected passengers can rebook, refund or reroute via Jeddah without fees. The Indian Consulate in Dubai has opened a 24/7 helpline and urged travellers to register details so that emergency travel documents can be issued if required. Aviation analysts note that regional carriers may continue to adjust schedules as the security picture evolves; travellers should therefore monitor airline apps and avoid booking separate tickets on non-interlined carriers, which would forfeit protection on missed connections.
Source: Gulf News
