RUH: Emirates Scraps Nov. 8 Riyadh Restart as flydubai Holds Off Until Nov. 17

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — November 8, 2026 — Update. Emirates did not restart its Dubai–Riyadh and Dubai–Dammam flights on November 8 as planned. All of Sunday’s flights on both routes were cancelled, and flydubai has pushed its own Riyadh restart to November 17 at the earliest. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is still running on a reduced, partly reopened basis.

What changed in the past 24 hours

• Emirates (November 8): Dubai–Riyadh EK815, EK817 and EK819 and the return flights EK816, EK818 and EK820 were cancelled. Dubai–Dammam EK821, EK823 and EK827 and returns EK822, EK824 and EK828 were also cancelled. Emirates had scheduled both routes to restart that day. The airline also cancelled Dubai–Jeddah EK801 and return EK802 on November 8; its other Jeddah and Medina flights are operating. A new restart date for Riyadh and Dammam is TBA.
• flydubai: Dubai–Riyadh and Dubai–Abha stay suspended through November 16. Dubai–Dammam is due back on November 10. Jeddah, Madinah, Gassim, Ha’il and Tabuk are operating.
• U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (November 7 security alert): warned of an increased threat of attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis and noted earlier attacks on Saudi civilian airports. It said land border crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway, and the highways around Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran are open. It listed rail and bus companies as possible alternatives to flying.

Where things stand at RUH

King Khalid International partly reopened on October 25 after a shutdown that followed attacks in early October. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights. Terminal 2 handles international flights by Saudi carriers. Terminal 3 has been reported closed because of damage. Saudia has routed some Riyadh flights through Al Qassim (ELQ) or Dammam, with buses on to Riyadh.

Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Delta and Cathay Pacific dates are as reported on November 6 and may have changed since.

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What it means for non-revs

• Treat any Riyadh or Dammam listing as provisional. Restart dates have slipped more than once. Check the exact flight number on the day you travel, not just the route.
• Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not a reliable back door yet. Emirates, flydubai and Etihad all still have Riyadh suspended. Seats on the flights that do operate will be scarce while displaced passengers are rebooked.
• Confirm the departure airport. A flight shown as Riyadh may actually leave from Al Qassim (ELQ) with a bus connection. Plan for the extra ground time.
• Dammam may come back first. flydubai plans to resume November 10, ahead of Riyadh.
• Check the security picture before you go. The U.S. State Department rates Saudi Arabia Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Ground options such as Saudi rail, buses and the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain may be useful backups.
• Carry on, and keep a refundable plan B for any trip that has to happen on a set date.

Sources

• Rus Tourism News — Emirates Cancels Riyadh and Dammam Flights Despite November 8 Restart Plans (Nov. 8, 2026)
• Rus Tourism News — Etihad and Flydubai Extend Saudi Flight Cancellations as Emirates Plans Return (Nov. 7, 2026)
• Gulf News — UAE flight status: Cancellations, delays and latest Emirates, Etihad, flydubai updates (updated Nov. 7, 2026)
• U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia — Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia – November 7, 2026
• The National — Saudi Arabia flight cancellations: Which airlines are suspending services and until when? (Nov. 6, 2026)
• Travelling for Business — Riyadh airport reopens two terminals but flight disruption continues (Oct. 30, 2026)