Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Smoke and Fire Near Riyadh Airport Disrupt Flights
On Saturday, people in Riyadh saw black smoke and flames near the city’s airport.
Some residents also said they heard explosions.
AFP later reported that a Saudi Aramco fuel tank was on fire.
Firefighters tried to put out the flames.
FlightRadar24 said many flights were delayed or canceled.
The airport received its highest disruption rating.
The incident happened after Saudi Arabia issued an overnight air-raid alert.
Reports did not establish what caused the fire.
Residents reported black smoke, flames and possible explosions near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, September 19.
An AFP journalist reported that a Saudi Aramco fuel tank near the airport was burning.
Firefighters were seen trying to extinguish the flames on the damaged fuel tank.
FlightRadar24 rated the airport’s disruption at its highest level, citing delays and several cancellations.
The incident followed an overnight Saudi air-raid alert amid intensified fighting involving the Houthi movement in Yemen; the fire’s cause was not established.
- Who
- Riyadh residents, firefighters, AFP, and FlightRadar24 reported or observed the incident.
- What
- A fuel tank near the airport was reported on fire, while flights faced major delays and cancellations.
- When
- Saturday, September 19, after an overnight air-raid alert.
- Where
- Near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The disruption followed an air-raid alert amid intensified fighting involving the Houthi movement in neighboring Yemen; the fire’s cause remains unconfirmed.
- Location
- Near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Reported damage
- A Saudi Aramco fuel tank was seen burning
- Flight disruption
- FlightRadar24 reported major delays and several cancellations
- Disruption rating
- The airport was listed at FlightRadar24’s maximum disruption index of 5.0
- Prior warning
- Saudi authorities issued an overnight air-raid alert
- Regional context
- The reports linked the incident’s timing to intensified fighting involving the Houthi movement in Yemen
- Wider impact reported
- One report said attacks connected to the conflict had affected Saudi energy infrastructure and that oil prices had remained above $100 for weeks
