Kochi-Saudi flights were disrupted on Saturday, October 10, with services operated by Saudia, Akasa Air and Air India Express cancelled amid the prevailing situation in the Middle East. Passengers travelling from Kochi to Saudi Arabian destinations, or arriving in the city from Saudi Arabia, have been advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airlines before proceeding to the airport.
Saudia’s flight SV764, operating from Jeddah to Kochi, and its return service SV763 from Kochi to Jeddah were initially rescheduled before being cancelled, according to a report by the Times of India. The disruption affected the Jeddah–Kochi–Jeddah sector and left passengers needing to check for revised arrangements with the airline.
Akasa Air flights QP551 and QP550, also operating on the Jeddah–Kochi–Jeddah route, were cancelled as part of the disruption. The report did not specify whether the services would be restored on a particular schedule or whether passengers would be moved to alternative flights.
Air India Express flight IX522 from Riyadh to Kochi was also cancelled. The cancellation affected the inbound connection from the Saudi capital to Cochin International Airport and added to the disruption affecting flights between Kochi and Saudi Arabia.
The cancellations come as air services connected to the Middle East face operational uncertainty because of the prevailing regional situation. The report did not provide details of a specific airport closure, airspace restriction or airline-wide cancellation policy. It also did not state whether other routes from Kochi had been affected.
For passengers, the immediate operational requirement is to verify the status of their individual booking before leaving for the airport. Airline schedules can differ by route and service number, and a passenger holding a ticket for one of the affected flights may need separate information on rebooking, refunds, revised departure times or onward connections from the carrier.
Kochi’s international airport is an important gateway for travel between Kerala and Gulf destinations, making flight disruptions particularly significant for passengers travelling for work, family visits and other personal requirements. However, the available report does not provide a total number of affected passengers, the duration of the cancellations or the status of other services connecting Kochi with Saudi Arabia.
Passengers booked on Saudia, Akasa Air or Air India Express services to or from Saudi Arabia have been advised to contact their respective airlines and check the latest flight information before proceeding to Cochin International Airport. Further operational updates will depend on announcements from the airlines.
