Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport until Saturday, disrupting flights and regional air travel. The decision follows continuing attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which have heightened security concerns across the kingdom.
The Saudi civil aviation authority said officials suspended airport operations to protect passengers and verify the safety of airport facilities. Meanwhile, airlines across Europe and Asia have cancelled or suspended services as the situation continues to affect regional aviation.
Riyadh Airport to Remain Closed Until October 17
King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia’s second-busiest airport after Jeddah, will remain closed until 2100 GMT on October 17. A Notice to Airmen issued on Monday confirmed the extended suspension.
According to the Saudi civil aviation authority, the closure will allow officials to complete essential safety procedures. The authority said operations were suspended to “allow for the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities”.
The latest disruption follows an attack on Saturday that reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and wounded nearly a dozen others.
Late Monday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh airport. Earlier, Saudi Arabia said its forces had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards the capital.
The Houthis also claimed they targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait, southwestern Saudi Arabia, with a drone. However, Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed that reported strike.
Airlines Cancel Flights as Security Concerns Grow
The airport shutdown has disrupted services across the region, while airlines reassess their flight schedules and routes. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported cancellations across Saudi airports had reached 46.4%.
Flight-tracking data showed aircraft avoiding Riyadh on Monday. However, other planes continued crossing Saudi airspace and landing at Jeddah, a major aviation hub on the kingdom’s western coast.
Several international airlines have announced suspensions or cancellations:
- Lufthansa Group: Cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 16.
- Air France-KLM: Extended its suspension of services to and from Riyadh until the end of October.
- Etihad Airways: Cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. It also suspended Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until October 19.
- Qatar Airways: Temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam.
- Delta Air Lines: Delayed planned services between Atlanta and Riyadh, originally scheduled to begin October 23, until March 2027.
In addition, the US Federal Aviation Administration advised American carriers to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency also expanded its Saudi airspace warning, citing missile and drone attacks.
Aviation Experts Warn of Wider Regional Disruption
The latest attacks have raised concerns about the safety of civilian aviation amid escalating regional tensions. Mark Zee, founder of aviation safety advisory organisation OPSGROUP, described the situation as unprecedented.
“This level of sustained intense attack on civil aviation is unprecedented,” Zee said.
“I think this requires us to rethink how we view the current risk picture, and tread very carefully,” he added.
OPSGROUP has advised airlines to avoid the southern aviation corridor over the Middle East. Instead, it recommended routes between Europe and Asia through Central Asia.
However, these diversions can increase journey distances and restrict access to important regional hubs. Zee said the changes also “closes off options for getting into Dubai, Abu Dhabi for most western carriers”.
Aviation analyst John Strickland highlighted the broader implications of the disruption. “The impact goes beyond Saudi Arabia to the wider region and to its global connections,” he said.
Saudi Business Events Face Fresh Uncertainty
The continuing attacks have also raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s economic outlook and international business activities. The disruption comes as the kingdom faces pressure from several economic factors, including reduced oil activity.
Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product is projected to contract by 3.6% this year, according to the supplied report. The aviation disruption adds another challenge for businesses and international connections.
Furthermore, several major events scheduled in Riyadh this month face uncertainty. These include the kingdom’s flagship investment conference and the WPC Energy Congress, where several prominent oil executives were removed from the programme.
With the airport closure extending through October 17, airlines and passengers face continued uncertainty over travel plans. Authorities and carriers will need to monitor security developments before normal operations can resume.
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