RUH Update: Riyadh Airport Open but Most Flights Still Cancelled as Houthi Threats Continue

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — October 26, 2026 — Update to our October 25 story. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is open again, but only just. Flight tracking on the first days back showed a small number of departures, with most scheduled flights cancelled. Hours after the reopening, the Houthis claimed another strike and again called the airport a target.

What’s new since yesterday

• Very few flights are operating. Flightradar24 data cited by The National and AFP showed only a small number of departures, and most scheduled flights were cancelled.
• Who is flying: The National lists Saudia, flynas and flyadeal as operating, along with Air Cairo and ITA Airways. Semafor reported on October 26 that no foreign airlines had resumed Riyadh flights yet. Confirm directly with the airline before you count on either one.
• Saudia workarounds: Some Riyadh-linked Saudia flights are running through Dammam and Al Qassim, with buses arranged by the airline.
• Riyadh Air: Its Cairo, Dhaka, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Lahore and Islamabad flights operate only through Al Qassim (ELQ), more than 350 km from the capital, “until further notice.” End date: TBA.
• Diversions: A PIA flight from Lahore diverted to Dammam and a Saudia flight from Guangzhou diverted to Jeddah.
• Permissions: Reuters, as cited by The National, says arrivals and departures still need approval from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.
• Terminals: No change. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and Terminal 2 handles international flights by Saudi airlines. Other terminals: reopening date TBA.

Security

On October 25, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two drones and a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, plus other missiles fired toward the south of the country. Civil defense issued emergency alerts for Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran before saying the danger had passed. Debris injured two people in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah. A Houthi spokesperson said the airport “remains a military target.” The October 10 attack that closed the airport killed at least 13 people.

Foreign airlines: latest published dates

The National says these dates can change. Air France’s date has moved since our October 25 story, which said “not before November 7.”

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What it means for non-revs

• “Open” does not mean normal. Most flights are still cancelled. Do not plan a Riyadh trip around a flight unless you have confirmed it is operating that day.
• Standby chances are very slim. With only a handful of departures and two weeks of displaced passengers, expect the few flights that do run to be full.
• Check the airport, not just the flight. Saudia and Riyadh Air are using Dammam and Al Qassim for some Riyadh flights, with long bus rides. Ask the airline where your flight actually leaves from.
• Foreign-carrier passes are mostly still off. Use the table above, and recheck the date with the airline’s own site, since dates keep moving.
• Check your company’s rules first. With new missile and drone launches and fresh threats against the airport, check your airline’s employee travel policy and the US State Department advisory for Saudi Arabia before you list.

Sources

• The National — Which airlines are flying to Riyadh? Latest schedules and cancellations
• The National — Saudi Arabia flight cancellations: Which airlines are suspending services and until when?
• Semafor — Limited operations resume at Riyadh airport following Houthi attacks
• SBS — Limited Flights Resume on First Day Back at Riyadh Airport Despite Continuing Houthi Attacks