RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — October 30, 2026 — Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is still only partly open five days after its restricted reopening, and the latest airline updates show most foreign carriers staying away well into November. Saudi airlines are now routing much of their Riyadh flying through Qassim, a long bus ride from the capital.
Update: what changed
- A Gulf News flight roundup updated on October 30 says flyadeal has moved all of its Riyadh services to Qassim (ELQ), with bus transfers from Riyadh Bus Station. Saudia’s Riyadh services are also running via Qassim, with bus transfers.
- Foreign airline suspension dates have been extended or confirmed (table below). British Airways plans to return with one daily Riyadh flight from November 3; Gulf Air has resumed Riyadh.
- King Khalid has set up an “Ask Me” help service at all terminals. Bags can be stored for up to 15 days at the Lost & Found and Baggage Offices.
Background
- The airport shut after a Houthi attack on October 10, 2026 that killed 13 people, according to TravelExtra and AirlineGeeks.
- It partly reopened on October 25. Time Out Riyadh reports Terminal 1 is handling domestic flights and Terminal 2 international flights by the Saudi carriers (Saudia, flynas, flyadeal and Riyadh Air). TravelExtra reports Terminal 3 remains fully closed because of damage from the strikes.
- Every arrival and departure still needs permission from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), The National reported, citing Reuters. Full reopening date: TBA.
- The Houthis claimed another strike on the airport on October 25, hours after it reopened, The National reported.
- Riyadh Air has moved its flights to Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim (Buraidah) until further notice, serving Cairo, Dhaka, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Lahore and Islamabad. Madrid, Manchester, Bangkok and Dubai are suspended. Departing passengers can check in at the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh hotel and take a free bus to Qassim; The National put the trip at about 4.5 hours.
Who is (and isn’t) flying to Saudi Arabia
As listed by Gulf News (updated October 30) and Travel Monitor (October 30). Dates can change at short notice.
| Airline | Status |
|---|---|
| Lufthansa | Riyadh suspended until Nov 18; Dammam through Nov 30; Eurowings Jeddah resumes Nov 12 |
| Air France | Riyadh suspended until Nov 14 |
| British Airways | One daily Riyadh flight from Nov 3; Jeddah discontinued |
| KLM | Riyadh and Dammam suspended until Nov 27 |
| ITA Airways | Riyadh suspended until Nov 18 |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh cancelled until Jan 31, 2027 |
| Delta | Atlanta–Riyadh postponed until March 2027 |
| Singapore Airlines | Riyadh launch postponed to Mar 28, 2027 |
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi–Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah cancelled through Nov 5 |
| Emirates | Dubai–Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah (EK801/802) flights listed as cancelled; resumption TBA |
| flydubai | 14 Saudi services cancelled, including Riyadh, Dammam and Abha |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah until Nov 14 |
| Air India / Air India Express | Riyadh and Dammam until Nov 7; Jeddah until Oct 31 |
| Akasa Air | Jeddah until Nov 10; Riyadh until Nov 30 |
| Philippine Airlines | PR654/PR655 Riyadh until Nov 29 |
| Oman Air / SalamAir | Riyadh until Oct 31 (SalamAir also Dammam) |
| SriLankan | Riyadh until Nov 1 |
| Gulf Air | Resumed Riyadh |
| Saudia / flyadeal | Riyadh services routed via Qassim (ELQ) with bus transfers |
What it means for non-revs
- Riyadh is not a standby destination right now. With most foreign carriers out until mid-November or later, and every movement needing GACA approval, the few seats that exist will be heavily booked and schedules can change the same day.
- Check which airport your flight actually uses. A “Riyadh” flight on Saudia, flyadeal or Riyadh Air may operate from Qassim, about 3.5 to 4.5 hours away by road. Build the bus transfer into your plans before you list, and confirm the meeting point and time.
- Watch the dates in the table. British Airways’ planned return on November 3 and Gulf Air’s resumption are the first signs of foreign capacity coming back, but loads on those early flights are likely to be tight.
- Read the government advice first. Travel Monitor notes Australia’s Smartraveller advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Saudi Arabia. Check your own government’s advice and your employer’s pass-travel rules before going.
- Carry on where you can. With diversions and bus transfers in play, a checked bag is one more thing that can go astray.
Sources
- Gulf News — “UAE flights update at a glance: Airport delays, airline cancellations and Saudi route changes on Oct 30” — gulfnews.com
- Travel Monitor — “Daily Watch List: what is affecting travel today – 30 October 2026” — travelmonitor.com.au
- Time Out Riyadh — “Riyadh Airport announces partial reopening” — timeoutriyadh.com
- TravelExtra — “Riyadh King Khalid International Airport partially reopens after two week closure” — travelextra.ie
- The National — “Which airlines are flying to Riyadh? Latest schedules and cancellations” — thenationalnews.com
- AirlineGeeks — “Riyadh Air Moves Flight Operations to New Airport” — airlinegeeks.com
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