Travel Chaos Persists: UAE Flight Cancellations to Riyadh Extended Through Tuesday

UAE airlines have prolonged the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, extending travel disruptions into Tuesday following the closure of King Khalid International Airport in the wake of a deadly Houthi attack.

Etihad Airways confirmed flight cancellations for Monday and Tuesday, impacting services to Dammam and Jeddah as well. Major carriers including Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia have also grounded flights connecting Dubai and Sharjah to the Saudi capital.

According to Flightradar24, the closure of Riyadh's airport has been extended until midnight on Tuesday (1am on Wednesday, UAE time). An earlier aviation notice had initially suggested the facility would remain shut until midnight on Sunday. The updated notice cited precautionary measures without providing a specific timeline for the resumption of passenger operations.

Flightradar24 reported that more than 500 flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled on Monday. The closure follows a Sunday attack on the airport, coming just a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation suspended operations to assess the damage following days of prior disruption.

Etihad Airways has cancelled multiple routes between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia for Monday and Tuesday, affecting Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah. Monday's cancellations include flights EY559 and EY560 between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, alongside outbound Riyadh services EY551 and EY555. Dammam services EY573, EY574, EY575, and EY576, as well as Jeddah flights EY601, EY602, EY603, and EY604, were also grounded. Tuesday's schedule will see further cuts to Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh routes, prompting the airline to advise passengers to verify their flight status before traveling.

Emirates has similarly grounded all six services between Dubai and Riyadh on Monday, comprising outbound flights EK815, EK817, and EK819, and return legs EK816, EK818, and EK820. Tuesday services EK815, EK817, EK819, and the return flight EK816 remain cancelled, while flights EK818 and EK820 from Riyadh to Dubai are subject to potential changes.

Flydubai has extended cancellations to Abha, Dammam, and Riyadh through October 14. A company representative stated that the airline is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates via official channels.

Air Arabia's schedule shows that flights G9151 and G9154 from Sharjah to Riyadh, along with flight G9195 from Sharjah to Abha, are cancelled for both Monday and Tuesday.

Travelers are strongly advised to confirm flight statuses directly with their respective airlines or travel agents before heading to the airport, and to review options for rebooking or refunds in the event of cancellations.