October 11, 2026 — Update: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), the home hub of Saudia, has been closed since a missile strike on Saturday, October 10, killed 12 people and injured 309. Airlines across the Gulf, South Asia and Europe have widened their Saudi cancellations, some through October 18.
What changed since our last report
Our earlier coverage dealt with the first two attacks on the airport this week, in which a Saudia captain was among those killed. Saturday’s strike was the third and by far the deadliest. The Associated Press, citing a regional official, reports it hit the complex that houses domestic Terminals 3 and 4.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) put the toll at 12 dead and 309 injured. A Saudi statement said the dead were four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one person each from the United States, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. Egyptian state television identified the Egyptian victim as Azza Ramzy, 28, a flight attendant for Saudi low-cost carrier flynas.
GACA suspended all operations on Saturday. On Sunday the closure was extended to at least midnight Riyadh time (9 p.m. GMT), according to Flightradar24 data cited by AP and The National. The reopening time is TBA. Flightradar24 listed 655 Riyadh flights as cancelled on Sunday alone.
Saudia said on Sunday that its Riyadh suspension is extended, AFP reported. We found no public statement from flynas, flyadeal or Riyadh Air. Some inbound flights were diverted to Jeddah and Dammam.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines, workers and travelers on Sunday to stay away from Saudi airports and airspace, saying they “have become a theatre of operations for our forces.” He exempted Mecca and Medina airports.
Who has cancelled what
| Airline | Saudi flights cancelled | Through |
|---|---|---|
| Saudia (SV) | Riyadh operations | Until further notice |
| Emirates (EK) | Dubai to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam (reports differ on whether every Monday flight is off) | October 12 |
| flydubai (FZ) | Dubai–Riyadh | October 14 inclusive |
| Etihad (EY) | Abu Dhabi–Riyadh, plus selected Dammam and Jeddah flights | October 13 |
| Air Arabia (G9) | Sharjah–Riyadh | October 12 |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | Doha–Riyadh flights on October 11 | TBA |
| Kuwait Airways (KU) | KU775/776 Kuwait–Riyadh on October 10 | TBA |
| Oman Air (WY), SalamAir (OV) | Muscat–Riyadh | October 12 |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | Riyadh flights, per the Turkish embassy | October 13 |
| EgyptAir (MS) | Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh | Until RUH reopens |
| Air India (AI) | All Riyadh flights | October 15 |
| Air India Express (IX) | All Riyadh flights | October 14 |
| Akasa Air (QP) | All Riyadh flights | October 13 |
| SriLankan (UL) | All Riyadh flights | October 18 |
| Biman Bangladesh (BG) | BG339/340 Dhaka–Riyadh | Until further notice |
| Lufthansa Group | Riyadh flights (announced earlier) | October 16 |
EgyptAir is letting ticket holders switch to another of its Saudi destinations with no fee or fare difference, or take a fee-free refund. Air India and Air India Express are giving full refunds, and Akasa is offering a refund or a free date change.
What it means for non-revs
- Do not list for Riyadh. The airport is closed and the reopening time is TBA. When it does reopen, hundreds of cancelled flights’ worth of revenue passengers will be rebooked ahead of any standby traveler.
- Jeddah and Dammam are not a safe workaround. Emirates and Etihad have cancelled flights to both, and the Houthi warning covers every Saudi airport except Mecca and Medina. The US, UK, Germany, Canada and Australia have told their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport.
- ZED and interline tickets: end dates differ by carrier and are being extended a day or two at a time. Check the operating airline’s notice on the day, and ask your own pass bureau how to refund an unused ZED ticket for a cancelled flight.
- Staff travel embargoes: we found no published non-rev embargo from any carrier, but check your employee travel site before listing anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
- Associated Press via The Durango Herald — Saudi Arabia extends airport closure and moves Riyadh schools online after deadly strike
- The National — Riyadh airport closure: UAE flight cancellations extend into Tuesday
- Gulf Today — Emirates cancels flights to Saudi for today, tomorrow; flydubai extends suspension of flights to Riyadh until Wednesday
- ABC News (Australia) — Saudi Arabia extends airport closure as Houthis threaten more attacks
- AFP via Channels TV — Riyadh Airport Extends Shutdown After Deadly Houthi Attacks
- Oman Observer — Flight operations at Riyadh airport suspended till 9pm
- Anadolu — Riyad : Turkish Airlines annule ses vols jusqu’au 13 octobre après l’attaque contre l’aéroport
- Egypt Independent — EgyptAir temporarily suspends flights to Riyadh
- NewsX — After Reported Houthi Attacks, Air India and Akasa Air Extend Riyadh Flight Suspensions: Check New Dates and Refund Rules
- Onmanorama — Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport operations suspended; Air India flights cancelled till Oct 15
- The Peninsula — Sri Lankan Airlines suspends Riyadh flights until October 18
- Dhaka Tribune — Biman Bangladesh suspends Dhaka-Riyadh flights until further notice
- Newsweek — Trump Says ‘We’ll Find Out’ on US Action After Deadly Riyadh Airport Strike
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