King Abdulaziz and King Fahd International Airport Faces New Travel Disruption as Saudia Grounds Four Flights between Jeddah and Dammam, Stranding Passengers in Saudi Arabia

Published on October 10, 2025

Saudia grounds four flights between Jeddah and Dammam on 10th October, 2025. This unexpected cancellation has left passengers stranded in Saudi Arabia, causing travel interruption. According to FlightAware data, there’s also a total of 62 delays. The affected flights, crucial for domestic connectivity, were scheduled to travel between two of Saudi Arabia’s busiest airports— King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. These cancellations have disrupted many travelers’ plans, with delays compounding the challenges. As a result, passengers are facing considerable inconvenience. This disruption not only affects those directly involved but also impacts local tourism and business activities in both cities. The situation has led to frustrations, as people traveling for business, pilgrimage, or leisure now find themselves stuck, seeking immediate rebooking. Travelers are advised to stay updated on their flight statuses and explore compensation options.

A Breakdown of the Affected Flights

The grounding of Saudia flights has been felt by passengers traveling between Jeddah and Dammam. 4 key flights have been impacted, with the following flight details:

1. SVA1108 – A320, King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Scheduled for Fri 07:10 AM +03
2. SVA1107 – A320, King Fahd International Airport (DMM) to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Scheduled for Fri 10:10 AM +03
3. SVA1116 – A320, King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Scheduled for Fri 01:10 PM +03
4. SVA1115 – A320, King Fahd International Airport (DMM) to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Scheduled for Fri 04:10 PM +03

The affected routes are critical domestic connections that link two major cities in Saudi Arabia: Jeddah and Dammam. These cities are key economic and cultural hubs, with Jeddah serving as a gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Dammam being a significant oil and industrial center.

The flights between King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam operate frequently and are vital for business, tourism and personal travel. The disruptions to this high-traffic route are particularly disruptive for both local and international passengers, as the airports serve as major hubs for Saudi Arabian Airlines and other international carriers.

Delays

In total, Saudia has reported 62 delays across its network, with 10% delay rate. The impact of these delays stretches beyond just inconvenience, as delays on such key routes cause a ripple effect across the airline’s operations, leading to further cancellations and disruptions at other airports.

Affected Airports

The airports affected by these disruptions are:

1. King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) – Located in Jeddah, this airport is the busiest in Saudi Arabia and serves as a major international gateway, particularly for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The disruptions at this airport cause inconvenience for international travelers.
2. King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Located in Dammam, this airport serves as the primary gateway for Eastern Saudi Arabia and is essential for both business and leisure travelers. Dammam is a major city in the Eastern Province, an area known for its oil industry and commerce.

Both airports are key transit points in the country and are crucial for regional travel. The disruptions at these airports underscore the challenges that travelers face when essential flight connections are grounded.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The disruption to domestic travel within Saudi Arabia might have an impact on local tourism, particularly in the two affected cities. Both Jeddah and Dammam are major tourism hubs, drawing visitors for both business and leisure.

Jeddah, often referred to as the gateway to Mecca, sees a large number of international tourists due to its proximity to the holy city. Any disruption in travel to Jeddah can have a cascading effect on the pilgrimage traffic and the broader tourism industry in the region.

Dammam, known for its proximity to the oil industry and its growing business sector, also relies heavily on efficient air travel for both corporate and tourism-related activities. The interruption to flights from Dammam may result in missed business opportunities and discourage future visits, particularly for those who rely on air travel for ease of access.

Local hotels, transportation services and restaurants may also experience a decrease in demand due to fewer passengers reaching their destinations, leading to a temporary dip in tourism revenue.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those affected by the cancellations and delays, there are several options to mitigate the disruption and get their travel plans back on track.

1. Contact Saudia for Rebooking: Passengers should immediately contact Saudia’s customer service to rebook their flights or seek compensation. The airline is expected to assist in re-accommodating affected passengers, either on the next available flight or through other travel alternatives.
2. Stay Updated on Flight Status: Passengers should regularly check the status of their flights on the Saudia website or through their flight tracking services. This will ensure that they are informed of any further changes to their travel schedule.
3. Know Your Rights: According to aviation regulations, passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed are entitled to compensation. Affected travelers should familiarize themselves with their rights and seek compensation for additional expenses incurred due to the disruptions.
4. Consider Alternative Transportation: For passengers who need to reach their destination urgently, it may be worthwhile to explore alternative transportation options, such as trains or buses, if feasible. However, this is only a practical option for travelers who are still within Saudi Arabia.

Image Credit- Saudia