October 26, 2026 — Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport began a partial restart on Sunday, October 25, after about 15 days shut down by Houthi missile and drone attacks. Within hours, the Houthis again called the airport a military target and told airlines and passengers not to use it. Traffic is still limited, and the US government’s Level 3 advisory for Saudi Arabia remains in force.
What changed
- Partial reopening: The airport said late on Saturday, October 24, that Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights and Terminal 2 would handle international services flown by Saudi airlines from Sunday. Flight-tracking data showed only limited traffic. No date for a full restart has been announced (TBA).
- Scale of the shutdown: Operations were suspended on October 10. Aviation analytics firm Cirium, cited by Reuters on October 26, counted about 4,071 of 4,736 scheduled Riyadh flights — roughly 86% — cancelled between October 8 and October 25.
- New threats: Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree called the airport “unsafe” and warned airlines, airport workers and travelers to stay away. He also warned against using Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina.
- Attacks continue: On Sunday the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted 12 missiles and two drones, including one ballistic missile and two drones aimed at the Riyadh region. Saudi Civil Defense said debris injured two people and damaged homes and vehicles in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah. Civil defense alerts were issued for Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.
Government advice
The US State Department updated its Saudi Arabia advisory on October 23. The country stays at Level 3 — Reconsider Travel (no level change), with the Yemen border region at Level 4 — Do Not Travel. The update cites a higher risk of Houthi attacks, including on civilian airports. Also on October 23, the department ordered non-emergency US government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, and US government employees now need special authorization to use any Saudi airport.
What it means for airline travelers
- Don’t plan standby travel through Riyadh right now. With most flights still cancelled and only Saudi carriers flying internationally from Terminal 2, seats are scarce and schedules can change at short notice.
- If you must travel to or within Saudi Arabia, confirm your flight is actually operating on the day, and have a backup routing via another Gulf hub in case Riyadh shuts again.
- Avoid the Yemen border region entirely, and take civil defense alerts seriously in Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.
- US citizens should enroll in STEP (step.state.gov); Canadians should use Registration of Canadians Abroad.
- Check whether your travel insurance excludes war, missile attacks or destinations under a government warning before you go.
Sources
- Reuters via The Jerusalem Post — “Houthi missile attacks force cancellation of 86% of flights to Riyadh” (Oct. 26, 2026): jpost.com
- CGTN — “Riyadh airport reopens as Houthis, coalition exchange attacks” (Oct. 26, 2026): news.cgtn.com
- The Nation (Pakistan) — “Saudi Arabia Partially Reopens Riyadh Airport Amid Houthi Threats, Missile Attacks” (Oct. 25, 2026): nation.com.pk
- US Embassy & Consulates in Saudi Arabia — “Travel Advisory: Saudi Arabia October 2026” (official): sa.usembassy.gov
Get NonRev Travel News by email
A weekly recap newsletter, sent out every Sunday, with the airline, airport, cruise and travel-warning news that matters to airline employees and retirees. Free.
Subscribe free
