Riyadh Airport Reopens Amid Ongoing Flight Disruptions and Cancellations by Major Airlines

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport resumed operations on Sunday following a closure attributed to attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen. Despite the reopening, numerous airlines have yet to lift their suspensions on flights to the Saudi capital and other locations within the kingdom. Some carriers have extended their flight cancellations into November and beyond, while others are preparing to reinstate services. This disruption occurs amidst broader regional uncertainty that has already impacted airlines' operations in the Middle East.

Etihad Airways has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until Monday, October 19. Services to Dammam and Jeddah have also experienced disruptions, though flight schedules indicate that Dammam services and Jeddah flights EY601, EY602, EY603, and EY604 were slated to operate on Sunday, October 18.

Emirates flights from Dubai to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have been affected by cancellations and schedule adjustments. Google's flight listings show six services between Dubai and Riyadh scheduled for October 20, including outbound flights EK815, EK817, and EK819, and return services EK816, EK818, and EK820.

Flydubai has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha up to October 19.

Air Arabia has cancelled services between Sharjah and several Saudi destinations, including Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, and Taif, with no resumption date announced.

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam, with no resumption date yet announced.

Gulf Air has stated that flights scheduled after Sunday, October 18, are currently proceeding as planned, following its earlier announced Riyadh cancellations.

Oman Air has announced that all flights to and from Riyadh are suspended until October 22.

The Omani low-cost airline SalamAir has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until October 31, citing regional security developments.

French airline Air France has extended its suspension of flights to and from Riyadh up to October 24.

British Airways is scheduled to resume a limited service to Riyadh on November 3, operating one daily flight as per previously announced plans. The airline had discontinued flights to Jeddah in April as part of broader changes to its Middle East operations.

Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until October 24.

Indian low-cost airline Akasa Air has suspended flights to and from Riyadh until October 24 and to Jeddah until October 21.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has extended its suspension of flights to Riyadh up to January 31, 2027.

Pakistan International Airlines announced a temporary suspension of flights to Riyadh on October 9, without specifying a resumption date. The Pakistan Airports Authority indicated at the time that its other Saudi services were continuing normally.

US airline Delta Air Lines has postponed the launch of flights between Atlanta and Riyadh until March 2027. Services were originally scheduled to commence on October 23.

Indian airline IndiGo has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah up to October 24.

German airline Lufthansa has suspended flights to Riyadh until November 18, extending its previous October 16 deadline. The Lufthansa Group's advisory also lists Dammam services as suspended through November 30. Eurowings, part of the group, is scheduled to resume flights to Jeddah on November 12.

Malaysia Airlines has announced that flights to and from Jeddah and Madinah will resume on October 18 following a safety review.

Dutch airline KLM has extended cancellations of all flights to Riyadh and Dammam up to October 31.

Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines has suspended Riyadh flights PR654 and PR655 until November 29, citing the security situation at King Khalid International Airport.

Singapore Airlines-owned low-cost carrier Scoot has cancelled flights between Singapore and Jeddah until December 2.