World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Saudi airport reopens to limited flights after deadly attack elsewhere
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport resumed limited flights on Wednesday, two days after operations were halted following Houthi strikes.
The airport in the Saudi capital is operating with prior permission, and some major international airlines have canceled flights through mid-November.
An attack on King Fahd International Airport in eastern Saudi Arabia killed one person and injured eight late Wednesday, according to Saudi authorities.
The airport near Dammam also sustained material damage, and flights were diverted away from it.
Authorities have not said who carried out the latest attack, and the Houthis have not commented.
The United States ordered nonessential diplomats and some families to leave Saudi Arabia amid fears that the hostilities could escalate.
The two airport attacks add to concerns about civilian safety and travel disruption, while the timing of any broader return to flights remains unclear.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened to a limited number of domestic flights on Wednesday after being shut down on Oct. 10.
The reopening followed multiple Houthi strikes on the Saudi capital this month.
Later Wednesday, an attack on King Fahd International Airport in eastern Saudi Arabia killed one Saudi resident and injured eight people, according to Saudi authorities.
Flights were diverted away from King Fahd airport, and the airport sustained material damage.
Some U.S. diplomats and family members were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia amid fears of escalating attacks.
- Who
- Saudi airport authorities and airlines resumed limited operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. One Saudi resident was killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport.
- What
- Riyadh airport reopened to a limited number of domestic flights. A later attack struck the airport in Dammam.
- When
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. The Dammam attack took place late Wednesday.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in eastern Saudi Arabia, near Bahrain and Qatar.
- Why
- Riyadh airport reopened after authorities permitted airlines to resume operations with prior permission. The sources do not state who carried out the Dammam attack.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport shut down after being hit multiple times.
Authorities notified airlines that they could resume operations at Riyadh airport with prior permission.
A limited number of Saudi airlines resumed domestic flights at Riyadh airport.
An attack on King Fahd International Airport killed one Saudi resident and injured eight people.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the death, injuries and material damage at King Fahd airport.
- Riyadh airport
- King Khalid International Airport
- Reopening
- Limited domestic flights
- Riyadh shutdown
- Oct. 10
- Dammam airport
- King Fahd International Airport
- Dammam attack toll
- 1 killed; 8 injured
- Flight response
- Flights diverted away from King Fahd airport
2 sources
What people are saying
Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.