King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has reopened after Houthi missile attacks forced it to close, but flying to Saudi Arabia is still far from normal. Aircraft movements remain restricted, and many international airlines have extended their suspensions of Saudi routes, in some cases into 2027.
What has changed
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) suspended operations at Riyadh on 10 October "pending a full damage assessment", after a series of Houthi attacks on the airport. On 8 October, a parked Saudi Arabian Airlines plane was heavily damaged by fire and passengers were evacuated, according to AP. See our earlier report on the Riyadh airport closure.
The airport reopened over the weekend of 17–18 October; reports differ on the exact day. However, Gulf Business reported that restrictions on aircraft movements remain and that airlines still need GACA's permission for every arrival and departure.
Airline by airline
| Airline | Status (as reported 19–20 October) |
|---|---|
| Delta | Atlanta–Riyadh launch moved from 23 October to March 2027 |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh suspended until 31 January 2027 |
| Lufthansa | Riyadh cancelled until 18 November; Dammam until 30 November |
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh and Dammam suspended; Jeddah cut from seven to four daily flights |
| Emirates | Dubai–Riyadh flights EK815, EK817 and EK819 cancelled on 20–21 October |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh suspended until 29 November |
| Scoot | Singapore–Jeddah suspended until 2 December |
| SalamAir and KLM | Riyadh suspended until 31 October |
| Etihad, flydubai, IndiGo, Air India | Many Saudi routes suspended until at least 24 October |
| British Airways | Plans a limited return to Riyadh with one daily flight from 3 November |
| Malaysia Airlines | Resumed Jeddah and Madinah flights on 18 October |
Sources: The National and Gulf Business. Dates for some airlines differ between reports, for example Air France-KLM, and schedules are changing daily.
The wider conflict
The attacks are part of an escalating regional conflict. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree has warned airlines against using Saudi airports, and the group has declared a blockade of Saudi oil exports. Oil prices rose after the 8 October attacks; read more in our report on Brent crude nearing $110.
Advice for travellers
- Check directly with your airline before going to the airport, and make sure your contact details are on your booking.
- Know your rights: if your flight is cancelled, you are usually entitled to a refund or rebooking. Rules depend on where the airline is based and where you are flying from.
- Check government travel advice from your own country, which may affect your travel insurance.
- Consider alternatives: some airlines are still flying to Jeddah and Madinah on the west coast.
- Allow for delays: with every Riyadh movement needing approval, last-minute changes are possible.
What happens next
Much depends on security in the region. More airlines are likely to update their plans in the coming days, and travellers with bookings in November and December should watch for changes.
