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Lufthansa, Air India Suspend Riyadh Flights After Houthi Threats
Lufthansa airlines and Air India stopped some flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Lufthansa said its pause would last through October 16.
Air India said its cancellations would last until October 10.
The Houthis said they had attacked Riyadh’s airport with a missile.
A witness and people briefed on the matter said smoke was seen coming from a plane that was not moving.
Flight data showed many departures from Riyadh had been cancelled.
More cancellations were expected at Saudi airports on Friday.
The reports do not say whether the smoke was caused by the claimed attack.
Lufthansa Group airlines said they would suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16, citing developments in the Middle East.
Air India cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 10.
The Houthis said they had struck King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile.
A witness and three people briefed on the matter reported smoke rising from a stationary aircraft at Riyadh airport.
By 1500 GMT, 49.7% of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled, and 31 more cancellations were expected Friday across Saudi airports.
- Who
- Lufthansa Group airlines, Air India, and Yemen’s Houthis.
- What
- Lufthansa and Air India suspended or cancelled flights to Riyadh after the Houthis claimed an attack on the airport.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The report was published October 8; Lufthansa suspensions were through October 16 and Air India cancellations until October 10.
- Why
- The airlines cited current developments in the Middle East; the Houthis renewed threats against airlines after claiming an airport attack.
Key facts
- Lufthansa suspension
- Flights to Riyadh suspended through October 16.
- Air India cancellations
- All flights to Riyadh cancelled until October 10.
- Houthi claim
- The group said it struck King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile.
- Reported smoke
- Smoke was seen rising from a stationary aircraft, according to a witness and three people briefed on the matter.
- Riyadh departures
- 49.7% had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on October 8, according to Cirium data.
- Expected cancellations
- 31 additional cancellations were expected Friday across Saudi airports.
Sources
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