Riyadh airport suspends operations after attack, disrupting flights

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was struck by a missile on Saturday afternoon, October 10, and the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority immediately halted all operations. The attack left several people injured and forced airlines to cancel or divert flights.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the missile strike and noted that the number of injuries was still being assessed. In a statement, GACA said the airport would remain closed while officials examined damage and verified safety, coordinating with relevant authorities. The suspension was announced on the same day the attack was reported, and the airport’s Twitter account urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the terminal.

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Trump Says U.S. May Join Saudi Strikes on Houthis After Riyadh Airport Attacks

Earlier that week, the airport had already suffered two separate attacks. On Thursday, October 8, a missile struck the facility, killing three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia captain, and injuring several others. That incident also damaged a parked Saudia aircraft with no passengers aboard. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for that strike, and the Saudi-led coalition vowed retaliation. In early October, attacks on Abha airport and on the Riyadh airport on October 6 and 7 had killed three people and injured 36, according to GACA.

In the immediate aftermath of the October 10 strike, several airlines reacted quickly. Etihad Airways cancelled eight flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh that were scheduled for October 9 and 10, citing a dynamic situation that could lead to further changes. Flydubai cancelled all flights to Riyadh and Yanbu through October 10, and services to Abha were cancelled through October 11. Qatar Airways cancelled additional flights between Doha and Riyadh in both directions on October 11. Kuwait Airways cancelled flight KU775 from Kuwait to Riyadh and flight KU776 from Riyadh to Kuwait on Saturday. Akasa Air extended its suspension of all Riyadh flights until October 13, offering full refunds or rescheduling without charge. Khaleej Times reported that the airport’s advisory urged travellers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport.

Western diplomatic missions reacted swiftly. The United States Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert, advising Americans to avoid the airport and surrounding areas and to confirm flight status directly with airlines. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office urged British nationals to stay away from the airport until it was secure and to monitor Saudi authorities’ advice. Canada, Germany, Spain, and Japan also issued travel warnings, with Japan condemning the repeated Houthi attacks on civilian facilities.

President Donald Trump addressed the incident on the same day. In a press briefing, he said the United States would “look at” whether to join Saudi strikes against the Houthi militia. Trump added that the decision would be made soon, citing the new attack as a key factor.

The attack has intensified fears of a wider regional escalation. Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of the north in 2014, prompting a Saudi‑led coalition to intervene in 2015. The coalition’s offensive began again in July after a truce collapsed, and the Houthis have responded with missile and drone strikes on Saudi targets.

In addition to the airport strike, the Saudi-led coalition reported that a projectile landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam the same day. Local hospitals in Riyadh were called to treat casualties, with emergency department doctors dispatched across the capital. A medical source told AFP that the situation was a “serious emergency,” and that injured people were being moved to hospitals throughout Riyadh.

Air traffic disruption has already affected travellers beyond Saudi Arabia. For passengers departing from Cyprus, the immediate concern is any booking that includes Riyadh as a destination or a connecting stop. The airport’s advisory urged travellers to check every leg of their journey and contact their airline or travel agent for alternative arrangements if a service had been cancelled. Knews highlighted that the attack had disrupted flights and forced travellers to reconsider their plans.

While the attack has halted operations at the airport, the Saudi government has not yet announced a definitive timeline for resuming normal flight activity. GACA said it would continue to monitor the situation in real time. The airport’s official X account repeated the earlier advisory, urging passengers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport.

• October 10, 2026 (Saturday) – Missile strike on King Khalid International Airport; operations suspended; injuries reported.
• October 8, 2026 – Earlier attack kills three Saudi citizens; Saudia aircraft damaged.
• October 6‑7, 2026 – Attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports; three deaths, 36 injuries.
• October 11, 2026 – Airlines extend cancellations; U.S. And U.K. Embassies issue travel warnings.

With the Saudi–Yemen conflict still volatile and the Houthi militia continuing to target civilian infrastructure, the international community watches closely. All flights to and from Riyadh remain halted.