UAE Teacher Injured in Riyadh Airport Attack Assured of Umrah Completion Post-Recovery

A teacher from the UAE, who sustained injuries during an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, has received assurances that she will be able to complete her Umrah pilgrimage once she has recovered. The teacher, whose identity has not been disclosed, was traveling with a colleague from Abu Dhabi to Makkah, with a stopover in Riyadh, when the airport became the target of an attack on Saturday. Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al Jalajel visited the two women in the hospital on Sunday to check on those injured in the attack and to ascertain the status of their medical care. One of the teachers recounted to the minister how their journey had been disrupted, as reported by the Saudi state-run television channel Al Ekhbariya. She also expressed her gratitude for the medical professionals treating her. Minister Al Jalajel conveyed that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have directed officials to provide the women with comprehensive support throughout their recovery period. "You are not part of what happened. We know that. For that reason, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are telling us to take full care of you, even the recovery, and that you continue on your Umrah," he assured her.

Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of operations at the airport following the recent deadly attacks carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the weekend. The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Monday that the suspension would remain in effect while thorough checks on the safety and operational readiness of airport facilities are completed. No specific date or time for the airport's reopening has been provided. Etihad Airways has canceled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 19, prolonging the disruption to services connecting the UAE and the Saudi capital into the following week. Flydubai has also canceled its Riyadh flights until Wednesday, while services from Emirates and Air Arabia have experienced disruptions. Flights to other Saudi destinations have also been affected. Etihad canceled four flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam on Monday, with all services on that route suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday. Selected flights to Jeddah have been canceled until Thursday.