Suspensions Through Mid-October
Malaysia Airlines cancelled all services connecting Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru with Jeddah and Madinah from 12 to 17 October 2026, according to the carrier. The suspension affects passengers booked on routes to the two cities during the six-day window, though flights to Doha continue to operate.
The airline is offering full refunds or rebooking within 30 days of the original departure date without additional fees. Passengers can contact the carrier directly to arrange changes.
Batik Air cancelled flight OD701 from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah on 12 October and stated that affected travellers would be placed on the next available service. The carrier had not confirmed whether further Jeddah flights would be suspended at the time of its announcement.
Royal Brunei Airlines cancelled its Brunei to Jeddah round-trip service scheduled for 13 October. The airline said other Saudi routes remained under review but did not specify which flights might be affected.
Riyadh Airport Closure
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was reported closed until 17 October following the attacks. The closure does not extend to all Saudi airports, and Jeddah and Madinah airports have continued to handle some traffic, though schedules remain disrupted.
Several international carriers have adjusted operations. IndiGo, Air India, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM all announced cancellations or schedule changes affecting Saudi Arabia and neighbouring destinations. The scope varies: some airlines suspended specific routes entirely, while others cancelled individual flights or shifted departure times.
AirAsia and Saudia were reported to be operating as scheduled on 13 October, according to information shared by umrah agencies with Malaysia's national news agency. Operating status on subsequent days has not been independently verified.
Reports on 14 October indicated fresh threats against Saudi airports and oil infrastructure, adding to security concerns across the region.
Impact on Umrah Travel
Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, advised Malaysians on 12 October to temporarily postpone umrah travel. The advisory reflects the fluid security situation and operational uncertainty at Saudi airports.
Travel agencies, however, told the national news agency on 13 October that conditions in Makkah and Madinah remained calm, with some pilgrimage groups continuing as planned. These accounts reflect snapshots from specific moments and should not be interpreted as confirmation of current conditions.
Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of year, draws significant numbers of Malaysian travellers. Unlike the hajj, which occurs during a fixed period on the Islamic calendar, umrah travel is more flexible and therefore more vulnerable to short-notice disruptions like this one.
The timing of the suspensions leaves passengers with limited options for immediate rescheduling, particularly those who had booked trips around the mid-October period. Airlines are processing rebooking requests, but seat availability on alternative dates may be constrained given the volume of affected bookings.
What Travellers Should Do
Passengers with flights to Saudi Arabia should contact their airline directly to confirm operating status. Those holding tickets on cancelled services can inquire about refunds or rebooking options, which vary by carrier.
Travellers who booked through tour operators should reach out to their agency to clarify whether ground arrangements, including accommodation and airport transfers, remain valid. Some packages may need to be rescheduled in their entirety, while others might allow partial adjustments.
The situation remains subject to change. Security assessments and airport operating decisions are being updated as conditions develop, and airlines are adjusting schedules accordingly. Checking directly with carriers and monitoring official travel advisories from relevant authorities is advisable before departing.
The broader question is how long the disruption will last. The stated resumption date of 17 October for Malaysia Airlines and the reported reopening of Riyadh airport align, but whether that timeline holds depends on factors outside any single carrier's control.
