Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Saudi Conferences to Proceed Despite Deadly Airport Attack
Saudi Arabia plans to hold two large conferences in Riyadh this month.
The events bring together people who work in energy and investment.
Organisers say the meetings will go ahead and that security arrangements will be in place.
Recent missile attacks at Riyadh’s airport killed four people and damaged a plane.
The attacks have also disrupted flights.
Some airlines have stopped or cancelled flights to the city.
Italy’s energy minister plans to attend one related meeting by video instead of flying there.
Some visitors may travel by a different route, including by road from Dammam.
Organisers said the World Petroleum Congress will proceed in Riyadh this month despite recent missile attacks.
The Future Investment Initiative is also scheduled to go ahead from October 26 to 29.
Organisers said security measures would cover airports, conference venues, hotels and participant transportation.
Missile attacks on Riyadh’s airport left four people dead and damaged an airliner, while flights were disrupted.
Some airlines suspended or cancelled Riyadh flights, and Italy’s energy minister said he would join a related meeting remotely.
- Who
- Organisers of the World Petroleum Congress and the Future Investment Initiative; expected attendees include international business and government figures.
- What
- The organisers say both conferences will proceed in Riyadh despite missile attacks and flight disruption.
- When
- The World Petroleum Congress was scheduled for the week beginning October 10; the Future Investment Initiative was scheduled for October 26–29. The report is dated October 10.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Organisers said the events would go ahead and cited security arrangements, while Saudi Arabia seeks to attract investment amid attacks linked to the war in neighbouring Yemen.
Organisers’ assurances
Security and travel concerns
Whether to proceed with the conferences
Organisers’ assurances
Organisers said both conferences would go ahead as planned and described security arrangements for participants.
Security and travel concerns
Recent attacks, flight disruptions and travel warnings cited in the report underscore safety and access concerns; Italy’s energy minister opted to participate remotely.
- World Petroleum Congress
- Scheduled to run Sunday through Thursday, with foreign leaders and ministers expected.
- Future Investment Initiative
- Scheduled for October 26–29.
- Airport attack
- Missile attacks on Riyadh’s airport left four people dead and an airliner heavily damaged, according to the report.
- Alternative route
- Organisers cited a roughly four-hour drive from Dammam to Riyadh as an alternative.
- Italian participation
- Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said he would join the International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting by video.
- Flight disruption
- Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights through October 16; Etihad Airways and Flydubai cancelled flights scheduled for October 10.
- Security assurances
- The Future Investment Initiative organisers said security measures would cover airports, venues, official hotels and participant transportation.