Riyadh Airport Shut Until October 17 as Airlines Cancel Saudi Flights

Several international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to Saudi Arabia following a series of deadly missile and drone attacks on airports, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remaining closed until October 17 as authorities assess security risks.

The disruptions have affected airlines across Europe, Asia and the Gulf, leaving passengers facing cancellations, delays and uncertainty over when services will resume. The attacks have also prompted aviation regulators to issue warnings about operating in Saudi airspace.

According to Reuters, the airport closure was extended to allow authorities to complete safety checks and verify the operational readiness of its facilities. The closure followed an attack on Saturday, October 10, that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, followed by another attack on Sunday that killed one person and injured several others.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The repeated strikes have raised concerns about the vulnerability of civilian airports and the risks posed to passengers, airline employees and aircraft operating in the region.

Among the airlines affected, Lufthansa Group has cancelled flights to Riyadh through October 16, while Air France-KLM has extended its suspension of services to and from Riyadh until the end of October. Etihad Airways has also cancelled services to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh suspended through October 19.

Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam, while Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India have extended cancellations on affected routes. Akasa Air has also suspended services to Riyadh and Jeddah. Philippine Airlines has delayed its return to Riyadh until November 29.

Delta Air Lines, meanwhile, has postponed the planned launch of its first direct service between Atlanta and Riyadh, originally scheduled for October 23, until March 2027.

The disruption extends beyond the Saudi capital. Aviation Week reported that Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport have also experienced cancellations following security incidents and precautionary inspections.

Saudi aviation authorities said the suspension of operations at Riyadh was necessary to ensure the safety of airport facilities. The US Federal Aviation Administration has advised American carriers to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has expanded its warning concerning risks from missile and drone activity.

The attacks have also raised wider concerns about the safety of civilian aviation during the expanding regional conflict. Aviation experts have warned that aircraft could face risks from missiles, air-defence interceptions and falling debris, even when they are not directly targeted.

Airlines have urged affected passengers to check directly with their carriers before travelling to airports, as schedules and rebooking arrangements remain subject to change. Travellers are being advised to confirm their flight status and available refund or rescheduling options before setting out.

With Riyadh airport expected to remain closed until October 17, the scale of the disruption will depend on security assessments and whether authorities consider it safe to resume operations. Airlines have not all announced the same return dates, and services could remain affected even after the airport reopens.