Riyadh airport closed after deadly strike
Attacks also reached Jizan, Najran, Abha and Dammam during a seven-day campaign.
Travel through Riyadh faces major disruption after an October 10 strike shut King Khalid International Airport. Saudi aviation officials reported 12 deaths and more than 300 injuries. Departures and arrivals remain paused, with no date set for operations to resume. The closure is also creating difficulties for displaced aircraft, flight crews, passengers and airline finances.
The Riyadh attack was part of a Houthi campaign that struck Saudi airports between October 5 and 11, 2026. The group acknowledged responsibility. On Sunday, its military spokesman, Yahya Saree, told foreign carriers to avoid airports and airspace across the kingdom. Services connected with Mecca and Medina were excluded from that warning. Riyadh flights are now on hold at Lufthansa, Air France and British Airways.
The disruption puts pressure on Saudi Arabia’s large investments in aviation, tourism and global links. King Khalid normally handles roughly 50 carriers plus tens of thousands of daily travelers. Delta still has its first nonstop U.S. route to Riyadh scheduled for October 23. Before the latest strikes, CEO Ed Bastian said on October 9 that security conditions would determine whether the service proceeds.
- King Khalid has no announced reopening date.
- Delta’s Riyadh launch remains scheduled for October 23.
- Houthi warnings exclude services linked to Mecca and Medina.
Summarized from the reporting above. Read it for the full story.
Winter weeks, altitude, and a fire at the end of the day. Tell us what the trip should feel like and we'll shape complete options you can compare.
Ask 4Vacations →
Share this story