Three Saudi nationals were killed and several others injured after two attacks struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the first attack targeted airport facilities. A second attack struck an aircraft belonging to national carrier Saudia.
The injuries ranged from minor to severe. The attacks also caused material damage at the airport.
Authorities later confirmed that airport operations resumed and air traffic returned to normal following the incidents.
Saudia separately confirmed that one of its pilots, Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, was killed during the incident at King Khalid International Airport. The airline also said one of its aircraft was damaged.
The attacks caused fresh disruption to regional aviation.
Pakistan International Airlines temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh because of the worsening security situation in the Middle East. Several international airlines also announced temporary cancellations.
Lufthansa Group suspended flights to the Saudi capital until October 16. Indian carriers IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air also cancelled services for several days.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking Riyadh airport with two cruise missiles.
The Houthis also claimed attacks on Najran airport and an airbase in Khamis Mushait. Saudi authorities had not confirmed the Najran claim at the time of reporting.
Video verified by Reuters showed thick black smoke and flames rising from Riyadh airport. Witnesses said a stationary commercial aircraft had caught fire before emergency teams extinguished the blaze.
The latest violence comes after earlier attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports also killed three people this week, deepening concerns over regional security.
