AirNav Indonesia Says Flights to Middle East Remain Normal as Airlines Reroute and Cancel Saudi Services
Why It MattersRenewed Houthi-Saudi conflict is forcing carriers into detours, longer sectors and higher fares across Gulf and transit corridors, adding fuel cost and schedule pressure for Middle East-linked operators.
AirNav Indonesia's Director of Operations, Setio Anggoro, said flight operations from Indonesia to the Middle East remain normal and under control, with no cancellations or delays from Indonesia to the Middle East based on internal coordination. Direct flights from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia serve only Jeddah and Medina, while Doha and Dubai act as transit cities for other Middle Eastern destinations. Setio said rerouting points have been set on certain corridors in the Jeddah area under the applicable NOTAM, that safety is the top priority, and that five international airports are the main focus of monitoring by AirNav Indonesia, aviation authorities, airport operators and airlines.
Several international airlines have adjusted services to Saudi Arabian cities after conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia broke out over the weekend. The Houthi group in Yemen and Saudi Arabia have been in conflict again since July 2026, after the US-Israel and Iran war began in February 2026. Garuda Indonesia is operating flights to and from Jeddah with adjustments, while Medina flights run normally. Operations Director Eric Ferdinand Sofyal said that since Friday (October 9, 2026) the airline has applied rerouting, diversions to alternative airports and delays, and that affected passengers received compensation under regulations. AirAsia's Eddy Krismeidi said its Malaysia-Turkey route has had to use an alternative path avoiding the Middle East, adding 1-2 hours and more fuel, and that AirAsia Group has raised ticket prices.
The Directorate General of Air Transportation is monitoring information from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). As of Tuesday (13/10/2026), several transit flights connected to Riyadh had been cancelled, rerouted or rearranged. Qatar Airways cancelled flights on the Doha-Riyadh route and vice versa from October 9 to 17, 2026, and Emirates also cancelled several Riyadh flights. Director General Lukman F Laisa urged prospective passengers to follow official information from authorities and airlines.
