Riyadh Airport Closure Extended Indefinitely Following Houthi Attacks, Disrupting Major Regional Airlines

Saudi Arabia has prolonged the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport in the wake of deadly weekend attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the shutdown remains in effect while safety checks and operational readiness assessments of the airport facilities are carried out. Officials have not yet announced a reopening date or time.

The ongoing disruption has forced UAE airlines to extend cancellations for services to and from Riyadh, with some suspensions reaching into Wednesday. Flights to other destinations in Saudi Arabia, including Dammam, Jeddah and Abha, have also experienced significant delays and cancellations.

Etihad Airways has grounded multiple flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia for Monday and Tuesday, impacting routes to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Travelers booked with Etihad, Emirates, Flydubai, and Air Arabia are strongly advised to check their flight statuses directly with their respective airlines and review rebooking or refund options before heading to the airport.