Travel Chaos In Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, And India As King Abdulaziz Airport Delays 215 And Cancels 6 Flights Impacting Emirates, Saudia, Jazeera, IndiGO, And More

Published on December 6, 2025

Travel chaos has unfolded across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, and India, as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah experienced severe disruptions, with 215 flights delayed and 6 canceled. The operational breakdown, caused by a combination of high passenger traffic, logistical challenges, and other unforeseen factors, has impacted major airlines such as Saudia, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, and IndiGO. As a result, thousands of travelers were stranded, and the disruption has rippled across international airports, leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives.

Yesterday’s disruptions at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah have caused significant travel chaos, impacting passengers across multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, and India. With 215 flights delayed and six flights canceled, passengers have been left stranded, and many airlines are facing immense operational challenges. Airlines such as Saudia, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, IndiGO, and others have been affected, leading to a ripple effect across international travel.

The Scope of the Disruption

On the surface, the chaos at King Abdulaziz International Airport may seem like a temporary inconvenience, but the scale of the delays and cancellations has had a profound impact on travelers. The airport serves as a key hub in the Middle East, facilitating flights not only within Saudi Arabia but also to various destinations in Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world. As thousands of passengers had their plans disrupted, the ripple effects were felt in various countries, including Kuwait, Uzbekistan, and India, with airlines scrambling to address the operational challenges.

The situation unfolded at the height of the travel season, with many passengers traveling for holidays, business, and even weddings. The timing could not have been worse, as these delays have stretched the capacity of the airport, affected ground operations, and left passengers grappling with uncertainty.

Key Statistics: Delays and Cancellations

The following table summarizes the delays and cancellations at King Abdulaziz International Airport as of the latest data:

Canceled Routes from King Abdulaziz Airport

In addition to the delays, six flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport were canceled, further disrupting passengers’ travel plans. Below is a list of the affected canceled departures:

Airlines Affected by the Disruption

Several airlines saw severe disruptions, particularly those flying from King Abdulaziz International Airport. The affected airlines include major regional carriers like Saudia and flyadeal, as well as global carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. Below is an overview of the most affected airlines:

1. Saudia: As the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia experienced significant delays, with over 60 flights delayed, representing 21% of its operations. Six of its flights were canceled, disrupting passengers traveling across regional and international routes.
2. IndiGO: The Indian low-cost carrier IndiGO had 12 delays, amounting to 85% of its flights affected, leading to major delays for passengers traveling to India.
3. Emirates: Despite being one of the world’s largest and most efficient airlines, Emirates experienced delays affecting 50% of its flights, causing disruptions for passengers traveling between the Middle East and Europe, Asia, and Africa.
4. Air Arabia: The UAE-based budget airline had 71% of its flights delayed, showing that even low-cost carriers are not immune to such large-scale disruptions.
5. Qatar Airways: As a premium carrier, Qatar Airways faced a considerable impact, with 18% of its flights delayed, disrupting travel between Qatar and several destinations in the region.
6. Flynas: The Saudi Arabian budget carrier saw delays in 23% of its flights, which primarily serve regional destinations, including the Gulf states.

Causes of the Delays

The reasons behind the delays and cancellations are still being investigated, but operational challenges like poor weather conditions, technical difficulties, and high passenger traffic at King Abdulaziz International Airport are likely contributing factors. Additionally, the holiday season combined with a surge in travel due to religious pilgrimages may have stretched the capacity of the airport, leading to logistical issues.

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has caused widespread travel disruptions, with 215 flights delayed and 6 canceled due to operational challenges and a surge in passenger traffic. Major airlines including Saudia, Emirates, Jazeera, and IndiGO have been heavily affected, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.

The travel chaos at King Abdulaziz International Airport highlights the challenges that can arise when an airport faces a surge in traffic and operational disruptions. The airlines affected—especially Saudia, Emirates, Jazeera, IndiGO, and others—are now working hard to get their flights back on track and to offer compensation to passengers. However, it’s clear that this event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of international travel to sudden disruptions. Passengers traveling in the region are urged to check their flight status regularly and remain in close contact with their airlines for updates.