King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was again hit by disruption on Thursday, with flights delayed and cancelled after fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Flight-tracking data showed continued operational impact into the morning, including dozens of delayed departures and multiple cancellations at the kingdom’s main capital airport.
The latest interruption followed claimed missile and drone strikes on Saudi targets earlier in the week, including the airport itself. Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport, while Houthi spokesmen claimed responsibility and said the Riyadh strike disrupted air traffic.
Airlines serving the airport were still adjusting schedules as the situation developed, with some passengers facing delays of several hours. Flightradar24 data indicated 58 departures delayed, 11 cancelled and an average outbound delay of 45 minutes. The disruption came after earlier brief suspensions on Wednesday, pointing to repeated instability rather than a single short-lived closure.
The airport’s role as a major Gulf hub amplified the impact, with travellers advised to check flight status directly with carriers as schedules remained volatile through Thursday morning.