Kochi/Kannur, Oct 8 Two flights scheduled to operate from Cochin International Airport to Riyadh on Thursday were cancelled following reports of security-related disruptions at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi Arabia.
The cancelled services are Akasa Air flight QP523, scheduled to depart at 7.55 pm, and Saudia flight SV775, scheduled to depart at 9.40 pm, a Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) spokesperson said here.
Passengers booked on the two flights have been advised to contact the respective airlines’ customer service centres for further updates and alternative travel arrangements, he said.
The cancellations came amid reports of explosions in Riyadh, including a blast at King Khalid International Airport.
Besides that, a Riyadh bound flight from Kannur returned around two hours after take-off, airport sources said.
The Air India Express flight to Riyadh took off from Kannur around 5 pm with around 180 passengers.
However, it turned back and landed at Kannur airport around 7.30pm, the sources said.
An Air India Express spokesperson said, “In view of the evolving situation in the region, we have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until 10 October.
“Affected guests are being offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund on cancellation. We continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen claimed responsibility for a new attack on the airport, saying a ballistic missile had caused damage.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh, along with another ballistic missile fired towards Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
(PTI News)
