Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of flight operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after a series of attacks, keeping the kingdom’s main international gateway closed while safety checks continue. A new attack on 10 October caused casualties and damage, prompting airlines to cancel or divert services and disrupting hundreds of flights across the country.
GACA is coordinating with relevant authorities to assess airport facilities, complete precautionary measures and verify their operational readiness before reopening. The authority has not specified when services will resume.
Airlines including Gulf Air, Lufthansa Group carriers, Air India, flydubai and Pakistan International Airlines have suspended or cancelled Riyadh services, while other operators have diverted flights. Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have also reported cancellations or schedule changes on Saudi routes.
The disruption follows repeated attacks on the airport. Saudi authorities have reported 12 fatalities and more than 300 injuries from the latest major strike, although casualty details differ between reports. Flight cancellations across Saudi Arabia have been estimated at about 1,500.
Passengers have been advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to King Khalid International Airport. The current operational suspension may be extended if safety inspections and repairs are not completed.