Saudia Cancels Twelve New Flights across Saudia Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Kenya, Continues to Face Travel Turmoil at King Abdulaziz, King Khalid, Istanbul, Jomo Kenyatta and More International Airports
Published on September 3, 2025
Saudia cancels twelve new flights across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, and Kenya, continuing to face travel turmoil at King Abdulaziz, King Khalid, Istanbul, Jomo Kenyatta, and more international airports. The airline’s latest round of cancellations is making it difficult for travelers to reach their destinations. Twelve flights were canceled, stranding passengers across multiple regions. King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah and King Khalid International in Riyadh are facing heavy crowds as travelers search for alternatives. The UAE, already impacted by previous cancellations, saw more disruptions to Dubai-Jeddah flights, further complicating travel. In Istanbul and Nairobi, delays and cancellations created significant headaches for travelers.
Passengers are advised to check flight statuses regularly, as schedules are still changing. Rebooking options and refunds are available for those affected, but the situation continues to evolve. Saudia’s struggle to manage flight operations highlights how widespread travel turmoil can impact major international airports.
Saudia passengers faced widespread disruption this week as the airline canceled 12 flights and reported delays of 163 flights, only in the last 2 days. The impact stretched across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and within Saudi Arabia itself, leaving many travelers stranded or forced to rearrange their plans.
Routes and regions most affected
The cancellations disrupted a mix of international and regional connections. Flights between Jeddah and Karachi were canceled in both directions, cutting a vital link between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. In East Africa, connections between Jeddah and Nairobi were affected, disrupting business and family travel as well as regional trade ties.
In Europe, Istanbul services in both directions were suspended, reducing one of the busiest corridors between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Regionally, a Jeddah to Riyadh service was canceled, directly affecting domestic passengers traveling between the Kingdom’s two largest cities. Meanwhile, flights between Dubai and Jeddah were also impacted, affecting a major route between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Airports under pressure
The disruptions caused significant challenges at several major airports.
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- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah bore the brunt, with outbound and inbound traffic both affected. The airport serves as Saudia’s primary hub and is a key entry point for pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Medina.
- Jinnah International in Karachi saw cancellations on a busy Gulf route, stranding passengers bound for Saudi Arabia.
- Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi experienced disruption, with passengers losing a direct connection to Saudi Arabia.
- Istanbul Airport had both incoming and outgoing flights canceled, leaving travelers in Turkey uncertain about rebookings.
- Dubai International, one of the busiest transit hubs in the world, also saw reduced connectivity to Jeddah.
- King Khalid International in Riyadh, a domestic hub, was affected by the cancellation of a short-haul flight from Jeddah.
Cancelled Saudia Flights
| Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|---|---|
| King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Jinnah Int’l (KHI / OPKC) | Tue 19:30 +03 |
| Jinnah Int’l (KHI / OPKC) | King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Wed 03:15 PKT |
| King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Jomo Kenyatta Int’l (NBO / HKJK) | Wed 01:40 +03 |
| King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Istanbul Airport (IST / LTFM) | Wed 07:15 +03 |
| Istanbul Airport (IST / LTFM) | King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Wed 12:05 +03 |
| Dubai Int’l (DXB / OMDB) | King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | Wed 23:10 +04 |
| King Abdulaziz Int’l (JED / OEJN) | King Khalid Int’l (RUH / OERK) | Thu 00:05 +03 |
What passengers can do now
Travelers affected by these disruptions have limited but clear options. Saudia is offering rebooking on the next available flights or refunds where applicable. Passengers are encouraged to:
- Check Saudia’s official website and mobile app for live updates on their flight status.
- Contact customer service for rebooking assistance.
- Visit airport service desks for immediate help, especially for those stranded in transit hubs.
- Consider alternative carriers on busy routes such as Dubai, Karachi, and Istanbul, where multiple airlines operate.
Broader impact on regional travel
While the airline has not issued a formal explanation for the disruptions, the extent of cancellations and delays highlights the challenges of maintaining reliable schedules across a large and diverse network. With Jeddah serving as the main hub for Saudia and a key gateway for religious travel, any disruption has immediate and widespread consequences.
For passengers traveling in or out of Saudi Arabia, these cancellations serve as a reminder of the need for flexibility and contingency planning when flying on regional routes.
Source: FlightAware
Image Credit: Saudia
