Saudi Arabia and the Middle East: Riyadh Flights Briefly Halted as Houthi Strikes Enter a Third Day

October 7, 2026 — Update to our October 6 story. Yemen’s Houthis claimed a third straight day of missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, again naming the Riyadh and Abha airports. Flights at Riyadh were briefly halted. In Yemen, missiles hit near the runway at Aden’s airport and an inbound flight diverted to Jeddah.

What changed in Saudi Arabia

New claims at dawn on October 7: Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha International Airport, the air base at Khamis Mushait and military sites in Najran and Asir. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed a hit on any airport.
What is confirmed: The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile north of Riyadh. The Associated Press reported brief disruptions at Riyadh, with aircraft holding away from the airport.
Riyadh airport: The National, citing Flightradar24 data, said flights were halted for more than an hour on Wednesday morning. Exact times were not published (TBA), and we found no statement from the aviation authority.
No formal closures: We found no report of any Saudi airport being formally closed, and no airline newly suspending Saudi flights on October 6–7. Gulf News says some regional routes to Abha remain suspended or liable to sudden cancellation.
UK advice updated October 6: The Foreign Office refreshed its wording on regional tensions. It warns of a heightened threat to airports, including Riyadh, Jeddah and Abha, and says airports and airspace could close at short notice. It still advises against all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border and all but essential travel between 10 and 80 km from it, an area that takes in Abha and Khamis Mushait.
US advisory: Unchanged at Level 3 (September 15). The US Mission’s October 5 security alert still could not be opened.

Yemen: Aden airport hit

Missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport early on October 7. Aden police reported two missiles and no casualties.
A missile landed near the runway shortly before a Yemenia flight from Cairo was due to land. The aircraft diverted to Jeddah.
The Times of Israel reported that operations were suspended. A reopening time has not been published (TBA).
The US advisory for Yemen remains Level 4, Do Not Travel.

The wider Gulf on October 7

UAE airports are open. Gulf News reports Dubai International, Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi operating, with no security alerts inside the UAE.
Longer flights: Europe–Asia flights through Gulf hubs are running 60 to 120 minutes longer because of rerouting.
Airspace, per OPSGROUP’s October 6 summary: Kuwait is closed to overflights until November 2, with only approved arrivals and departures. Saudi Arabia and Jordan are open but rated high risk. Iran allows overflights only on set routes at high altitude. None of these was flagged as a change in the past 24 hours.
Suspensions still in place: Gulf News lists Air France, KLM, SWISS and ITA Airways as suspended through October 24. Other carriers have extended suspensions with no end date (TBA).
Oman: Oman’s defence ministry confirmed that a projectile hit a tanker 9 nautical miles off Limah, in the Musandam area, injuring 12 crew. No group has claimed it.

Israel

October 7 anniversary: No attack in Israel or on Israelis abroad had been reported in the Times of Israel’s live coverage by late afternoon. Monday’s security warning stands.
flydubai: Israel suspended flydubai’s Tel Aviv flights after a September 30 incident aboard a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight. The Times of Israel reports that the transport minister has declined the airline’s request to resume. Ynet reports the flights will be cleared after a security review. The resumption date is TBA.
Foreign air crew: Israeli media report a new rule requiring crew lists 48 hours before a flight for security review. Ynet says it starts “Sunday” and applies to all airlines. We could not find an official text.
US visa waiver: The Times of Israel reports a US delegation will review Israel’s compliance with its Visa Waiver Program agreement. No date is set (TBA).

What it means for airline travelers

Riyadh is now seeing real interruptions. Check flight status before leaving for the airport and expect holding or diversions without warning.
Avoid Abha, Jazan and Najran. They sit in or near the zone the UK advises against.
Standby risk is high across Saudi Arabia. When flights stop, revenue passengers are rebooked first. Carry funds for a confirmed ticket and extra hotel nights.
Connecting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha: The hubs are operating, but allow for longer flight times and tighter connections.
Crew working Israel flights should ask their airline about the 48-hour crew-list rule before accepting a trip.
Register with STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad, and check that your insurance covers a Level 3 destination.