Riyadh Airport Suspends Operations Until October 17 Following Houthi Attacks

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh suspended operations following attacks carried out by Iran-backed Houthis on the airport. Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced an extension of the suspension until further notice, pending completion of safety inspections of facilities and operational readiness in coordination with relevant authorities.

Several Arab airlines suspended or cancelled their flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the attacks. Bahraini Gulf Air announced the cancellation of its flights to Riyadh between October 12 and 17 on a reciprocal basis. Qatar Airways reported on the same day the temporary suspension of its flights to Riyadh and Dammam due to current field developments. Emirati Etihad Airways announced the cancellation of all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until Monday, October 19, as well as cancellations of Abu Dhabi-Dammam flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, and some Abu Dhabi-Jeddah flights through Thursday. Kuwait Airways had announced on October 10 and 11 the cancellation of its flights to Riyadh due to the airport's temporary closure. Egyptian EgyptAir announced on October 10 the suspension of its flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh until the airport's reopening.

Saudi embassies in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait announced the organization of shuttle bus services to Riyadh for their citizens wishing to return to the capital whose flights were cancelled.

Five Saudi airports were subjected to ten attacks over a single week, resulting in the deaths of 20 people and the injury of hundreds, causing severe damage and disruption to air traffic. King Khalid International Airport sustained the heaviest damage, targeted five times, while King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was hit twice. Abha International Airport, King Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan, and Najran Airport were each targeted once.