October 13, 2026 — Update: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Saudia’s home hub, now has a published closure running to Saturday, October 17. Another missile was fired toward the city on Monday night, and more foreign airlines, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air among them, have stopped flying to Riyadh.
What changed since yesterday
- Closure now has a date. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) keeps RUH closed until 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, Reuters reported. Business Today gives the time as 2100 GMT. The Saudi aviation regulator (GACA) still has not given a firm reopening date. One aviation source told Middle East Monitor the shutdown would last at least until Thursday, October 15.
- Terminal damage. An aviation source said domestic Terminals 3 and 4 were badly damaged. Riyadh Metro has stopped serving the three stations at the airport.
- Another missile. Late on Monday, October 12, the Houthis said they had fired a ballistic missile at the airport. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a missile aimed at Riyadh. Business Today reports the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted three ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait.
- Cancellations across the country. Cirium put cancellations across all Saudi airports at 46.4%. On Monday, Flightradar24 showed jets flying around Riyadh while other flights still crossed Saudi airspace to land in Jeddah.
- Saudia’s own schedule: none of today’s sources gave Saudia’s own operating plan while RUH is closed. Status: TBA.
Foreign airlines’ Saudi suspensions (as reported October 12–13)
| Airline | What is suspended | Through |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Group | All Riyadh flights | October 16 |
| Air France-KLM | Riyadh flights | End of October |
| Etihad Airways | All Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights; selected Dammam and Jeddah flights | Riyadh Oct 19; Dammam Oct 14; Jeddah Oct 15 |
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh and Dammam | TBA |
| Gulf Air | Riyadh, from October 12 | Midnight, October 17 |
| IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air | Several Saudi cities (see our IndiGo story) | October 17 |
| Delta Air Lines | Planned Atlanta–Riyadh launch | Pushed to March 2027 |
What it means for non-revs
- Don’t plan anything through RUH before Sunday, October 18, and expect that date to move. The NOTAM has already been extended more than once, and the missile attacks have not stopped.
- Jeddah is open but busy. Displaced passengers are being moved through Jeddah, so seats there will be tight. On Monday about 15% of Jeddah flights were cancelled. Check loads close to departure and have a backup day.
- Dammam is not a sure alternative. Qatar Airways has suspended Dammam with no end date, and Etihad cut some Dammam flights through October 14. Don’t count on a connection through Doha to reach Dammam right now.
- Riyadh-based staff or family coming home: pass travel needs a confirmed operating flight. Until Saudia publishes a schedule, getting a revenue ticket may be the more reliable way out.
- U.S. crews and travelers: the FAA’s caution notice for flights to, from or over Saudi Arabia runs through December 10, 2026.
Sources
- Onmanorama (Reuters) — Riyadh airport to remain shut this week as airlines cancel services
- Middle East Monitor — Saudi Arabia extends Riyadh airport shutdown as Arab airlines suspend flights
- GreekReporter — Etihad and Qatar Airways Suspend Flights to Saudi Arabia
- Business Today — West Asia conflict: IndiGo cancels flights to Saudi Arabia till October 17
- Gulf Business — Almost 1,500 flights cancelled across Saudi Arabia as attacks disrupt travel
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