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One of Saudi Arabia’s main international airports will remain closed until Saturday following deadly Houthi strikes last week.
On 10 October, the kingdom faced its worst attack in more than a decade, with at least 13 people killed in a Houthi strike on King Khalid International airport in Riyadh. At least 300 others were injured.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International airport will stay shut until 17 October as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis continue attacks over the Saudi Arabian capital, reported Reuters.
King Khalid International airport in Riyadh is Saudi Arabia’s second-busiest airport after Jeddah.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said it has temporarily suspended all operations at the airport to “allow for the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities”.
Airlines including Lufthansa Group have suspended flights to the Saudi capital until Friday 16 October.
Emirates, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Qatar Airways have all temporarily cancelled flights to Riyadh.
Air France KLM has extended its suspension of services to and from the Saudi capital until the end of October.
According to Flightradar24 data, at least 572 flights from Riyadh King Khalid International airport have been cancelled on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia has threatened a severe response to Houthi attacks on its territory as fighting between the two sides escalated with fresh drone and missile fire on Monday.
Except for Medina airport, the UK government now advises against all but essential travel to the country’s airports, encouraging British nationals to leave Saudi Arabia by land if they judge it safe to travel.
Since 13 July 2026, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones targeting several areas of Saudi Arabia, the FCDO adds.
An active notice from Europe’s EASA aviation safety body warns airlines: “As a consequence of the military conflict between the United States and Iran, the regional security situation remains highly volatile, with significant kinetic military activity affecting Saudi airspace.”
EASA added: “Recent attacks have demonstrated the ability and intent of the Houthis to strike targets deeper inside Saudi territory, including in the Riyadh, Tabuk, Medina and Yanbu areas.”
Read more: Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia? Foreign Office updates advice after attack on Riyadh airport
