RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, October 18, 2026 — Update to our October 17 story. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) reopened on Sunday, October 18, after the closure notice expired overnight. But most foreign airlines are not coming back yet: several have pushed their Riyadh suspensions out by days, weeks or, in Cathay Pacific’s case, to the end of January.
What changed since our last update
- Closure notice expired: NOTAM A3604/26 ran out at 21:00 GMT on October 17, which was midnight Saudi time on October 18. Karmactive reports that Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) finished runway and terminal safety inspections before the expiry.
- Airport reopened: The National reports RUH reopened on Sunday, October 18, but notes that “many airlines have not yet lifted their suspension of flights to the Saudi capital.”
- Saudia: Limited domestic operations are resuming, according to Karmactive.
- Mixed signals: A Gulf News flight-status roundup updated October 18 still described RUH as suspended, based on the advisories it had, and told readers to check the latest official notice. Confirm with your airline before heading out.
- Why some airlines are holding off: Karmactive reports that a separate regional conflict-zone airspace warning stays in effect until December 10, 2026, and that this warning, rather than the airport reopening, is what airlines’ war-risk insurers price against.
Where the airlines stand (as reported October 18)
| Airline | Saudi status |
|---|---|
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi–Riyadh cancelled until October 19 (The National); Gulf News lists Riyadh and Dammam cancelled through October 18 and Jeddah through October 19 |
| Emirates | Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam cancellations on October 18, no end date given; Google listings show six Dubai–Riyadh services on October 20 (The National) |
| flydubai | Riyadh, Dammam and Abha until October 19 |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah–Riyadh, Abha, Dammam and Taif suspended, resumption TBA |
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh and Dammam suspended, resumption TBA |
| Gulf Air | Flights after October 18 operating as scheduled |
| Oman Air | Riyadh suspended until October 22 |
| SalamAir | Riyadh and Dammam suspended until October 31 |
| Air India / Air India Express | Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24 (The National); Gulf News gives October 20 |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 24 |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh until October 24; Jeddah until October 21 |
| SriLankan Airlines | Riyadh and Dammam until October 24 (Gulf News) |
| Air France | Riyadh until October 24 |
| KLM | Riyadh and Dammam until October 31 |
| Lufthansa | Riyadh until November 18; Dammam through November 30 |
| British Airways | One daily Riyadh flight returns November 3 |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh (PR654/PR655) suspended until November 29 |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh suspended until January 31, 2027 |
| Delta | Atlanta–Riyadh launch moved from October 23 to March 2027 |
| Pakistan International Airlines | Riyadh suspended since October 9, resumption TBA |
Elsewhere in the kingdom, Malaysia Airlines resumes Jeddah and Madinah on October 18, Eurowings resumes Jeddah on November 12, and Scoot’s Singapore–Jeddah route stays suspended until December 2, according to The National.
What it means for non-revs
- An open airport does not mean open seats. With most foreign carriers still out for at least another week, the flights that do operate into RUH will be carrying passengers rebooked from cancelled services. Expect very tight standby chances on anything into or out of Riyadh through at least October 24.
- Dates differ by source. Air India and Etihad dates conflict between reports. Check your own airline’s schedule and employee travel site for the actual operating date before you list.
- Do not count on a quick bounce-back. The regional airspace warning runs to December 10, so further extensions are possible.
- Gulf Air and Saudia are the early movers. If you must reach Riyadh, routings via Bahrain on Gulf Air, or Saudia domestic connections, may be the first realistic options. Check loads carefully.
- Know the advice before you go. Check your government’s travel advisory for Saudi Arabia before planning any pass trip there.
Sources
- The National — Riyadh airport reopens: Which airlines are still cancelling flights to Saudi Arabia?
- Karmactive — Riyadh airport NOTAM expires as airlines stagger return to RUH flights
- Gulf News — UAE flight status today: Full list of cancellations, delays, and travel advisories for Saudi Arabia
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