King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh faced major flight disruptions on Saturday after Houthi attacks on the Saudi capital triggered air-raid alerts and reports of smoke and flames near the airport. Flight-tracking data showed cancellations and delays at the main gateway to Riyadh, with operational problems affecting departures and arrivals during the incident.
Saudi authorities later lifted the alert after the immediate danger passed. The Houthis said they had targeted sites in Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones, while Saudi officials intercepted at least one missile aimed at the capital. Early reporting did not fully verify the exact cause of the smoke and fire near the airport, and no detailed public damage assessment was issued immediately.
The disruption affected a critical aviation hub for the Saudi capital, where even short-lived security incidents can quickly ripple through airline schedules and passenger operations. Images and video from the scene showed a large plume of black smoke rising near the airport complex, underscoring the scale of the temporary operational impact.