World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Riyadh airport closure extended after deadly Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after a series of Houthi attacks.
An attack on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, and another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen, according to reports.
The airport authority said it needs more time to check that its facilities are safe and ready to operate.
It has not announced a reopening date.
The closure has caused major disruption, with nearly all scheduled flights cancelled on Sunday and airlines suspending services.
The attacks come as fighting between the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has intensified.
The United States has warned its airlines to use caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia extended the shutdown of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after deadly Houthi attacks.
At least 18 people were killed in strikes on the airport last week, including 13 on Saturday, according to The Hindu.
Saudi authorities said the closure would continue while they checked the airport’s safety and operational readiness.
Saudi Arabia reported new drone and missile threats on Monday, and the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted some incoming attacks.
The aviation authority did not give a date for the airport to reopen.
- Who
- Saudi authorities extended the airport shutdown after attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthis.
- What
- Operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remained suspended following deadly strikes.
- When
- The extension was announced on Monday, October 12, 2026, after attacks the previous week.
- Where
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Authorities said they needed to verify the safety of airport facilities and their operational readiness.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
complete the necessary procedures to verify the safety of the facilities and their operational readiness
They told us it would be until at least Thursday (October 15). There are no flights until the end of the week
We have detected and are monitoring a threat involving drones and cruise missiles against the kingdom and the threat is being dealt with
fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon
A missile strike on the airport killed 13 people, according to The Hindu.
Saudi Media Ministry CCTV footage of the airport strike was released, according to The Hindu.
Saudi authorities extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi Arabia reported new drone and missile threats, while the coalition said it had intercepted attacks overnight.
The Hindu’s aviation source said flights were expected to remain halted until at least Thursday.
- Airport
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
- Deaths
- At least 18 in strikes on the airport last week, according to The Hindu
- Saturday toll
- 13 killed in the October 10 attack, according to The Hindu
- Reopening date
- Not specified by the General Authority of Civil Aviation
- Expected shutdown
- Until at least Thursday, October 15, according to an aviation source cited by The Hindu
Sources
Middle East latest: Empty skies over Riyadh as airport to stay closed until Saturday
Saudi Arabia faces new missile and drone fire after major attacks on airports
Riyadh airport extends shutdown after deadly attacks
Saudi Arabia faces more drone, missile attacks after Houthi’s fatal airport strikes
Saudi Arabia further suspends flights after latest deadly Houthi attack on airport
Saudi Arabia extends closure of Riyadh airport as it faces new missile and drone fire
Saudi Arabia faces fresh drone and missile threat after deadly airport strikes
Live: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of operations at Riyadh airport after deadly Houthi attacks
Skies over Saudi capital Riyadh largely empty after deadly Houthi strikes on airport
Saudi Arabia extends airport closure as Houthis warn 'worse is yet to come'
No flights in or out of Riyadh after spate of Houthi attacks on airports
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