Dubai — India has established an additional control room in Makkah to help its citizens, particularly Umrah pilgrims, who have been impacted by ongoing flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia, according to the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.
The disruptions stem from heightened security concerns in the region following drone and missile attacks attributed to Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting civilian infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. In response, several Indian carriers have paused flights to and from the kingdom through October 17, although select Saudi airlines maintain scheduled operations.
Announced on Wednesday, the new facility is located at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office in Makkah and complements the consulate's ongoing 24-hour control room based in Jeddah. Stranded nationals can reach the Makkah office via telephone at +966 553646966.
Earlier, the consulate urged Indian travellers, especially those heading to or from Jeddah and Madinah for Umrah, to verify their flight statuses directly with airlines prior to heading toward airports. Passengers were similarly encouraged to coordinate with tour operators, travel agents, and service providers regarding cancellations, rescheduling, alternative routes, and extended lodging.
Consulate officials stated they are maintaining active communication with airlines and local Saudi authorities to assist affected citizens, with status updates posted on official social media channels. The ongoing 24-hour Jeddah control room remains accessible by phone at +966 12 2614093 and +966 556122301, via WhatsApp at +966 536209704, and through email at pbskcgi@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued advisories urging Indian expatriates and visitors to adhere strictly to local safety instructions, stay indoors if aerial alerts are issued, and refrain from sharing videos or unverified media regarding ongoing security incidents. While flight services remain suspended at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, operations out of Dammam, Jeddah, and Madinah continue to experience varied disruptions.
Major Indian airlines including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and IndiGo have halted their Saudi routes until October 17, whereas Saudi operators such as Saudia and Flynas continue running limited schedules. Authorities have reiterated that travellers should check flight statuses thoroughly before departure and utilize the designated helplines in Makkah and Jeddah for emergency support.