Nearly 300 Riyadh flights disrupted as international airlines suspend Saudi Arabia services

Nearly 300 flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled or did not operate on Thursday as Houthi attacks on Saudi airports prompted airlines across Europe, Asia and the Middle East to suspend services.

Lufthansa Group, Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air are among the airlines cancelling flights to Saudi Arabia’s capital. Air France, KLM and Cathay Pacific have also cut services amid growing security concerns.

The disruption follows missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, which killed three people and injured 36 others earlier this week.

A parked Saudia aircraft also caught fire and suffered extensive damage during a further reported attack on Riyadh airport on Thursday (8 October), with the local aviation authority saying an airline captain was killed in the incident.

Nearly 300 flights disrupted at Riyadh airport

Figures from aviation analytics firm Cirium, reported by Khaleej Times, show that 169 of 378 scheduled departures from King Khalid International Airport were cancelled or did not operate on Thursday.

That represents almost 45% of departing flights.

Another 124 of 369 scheduled arrivals were cancelled or did not operate, bringing the combined total to 293 flights, or approximately 39% of the airport’s planned services.

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia experienced the greatest disruption, with 97 of its 140 scheduled departures and 87 of 136 arrivals cancelled or not operating.

Low-cost airlines flynas and flyadeal were also heavily affected.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, recorded two cancelled departures out of 15 scheduled services, according to the same Cirium figures.

International airlines also suffered widespread cancellations. Turkish Airlines recorded cancellations of all four scheduled departures and arrivals in the data. Air India Express, SriLankan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Yemenia and AJet were among other affected operators.

 At the time of writing, Flightradar24 shows Riyadh Airport with a disruption index of 4.1, with “major problems”; 111 flights were delayed (16% of flights at the airport), and 103 flights (15%) were cancelled.  

Airlines suspend flights to Saudi Arabia

The following table provides a summary of service suspensions confirmed so far.

Source note: Reported airline disruption as of 9 October 2026. Suspension dates may change. Passengers should confirm flight status directly with their airline.

Indian airlines suspend flights to Saudi Arabia

Indian carriers have announced some of the most extensive suspensions.

Air India cancelled flights to and from Riyadh through 10 October after a Delhi–Riyadh service turned back to India on Thursday.

Air India Express also suspended Riyadh flights through 10 October, offering affected passengers complimentary rescheduling or full refunds.

The airline operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode, serving a substantial market of Indian expatriates and business travellers.

IndiGo cancelled flights to and from Riyadh through 9 October, including services connecting the Saudi capital with Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Akasa Air suspended its Kochi–Riyadh services and subsequently extended cancellations through 10 October.

The Economic Times reported that the airlines were monitoring the security situation and offering refunds or alternative travel arrangements.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks on Saudi airports, describing the targeting of civilian infrastructure as unacceptable.

Lufthansa, Air France and KLM among affected European airlines

Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to Riyadh until 16 October, one of the longest announced suspensions following the latest attacks.

Air France and KLM are also among the European carriers cancelling or restricting Riyadh services, although their latest individual resumption dates have not been confirmed.

The suspensions add to the disruption already affecting air travel across the Middle East as airlines review the security risks associated with regional military activity.

Cathay Pacific has also cut services, while Philippine Airlines cancelled its Manila–Riyadh flight on 8 October and the corresponding return service.

The disruption extends beyond European and Indian airlines, affecting passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia, East Asia and other Gulf states.

UAE airlines cancel and delay Riyadh flights

Airlines based in the United Arab Emirates have also reported disruption.

As reported by the Khaleej Times, Etihad Airways said its Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flight EY555 was experiencing an extended delay because of the airport closure on Thursday.

The corresponding return flight, EY556, was also delayed.

Dubai-based flydubai cancelled flights FZ855 and FZ856 between Dubai and Riyadh on 8 October.

The disruption has affected passengers connecting through major Gulf hubs as well as those travelling directly to Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh Air cancellations reported

Riyadh Air, which is developing King Khalid International Airport as its principal hub, was also affected. Cirium data showed two of the airline’s 15 scheduled departures were cancelled or did not operate on Thursday, equivalent to approximately 13%.

The airline has not issued a separately verified announcement confirming a wider suspension of its operations.

The disruption comes as Riyadh Air builds its international network and Saudi Arabia pursues plans to expand the capital’s role as a global aviation hub.

When will flights to Riyadh resume?

Airlines have announced different suspension periods, with some services potentially resuming from 10 October and Lufthansa Group’s suspension extending through 16 October.

However, those dates remain subject to further security assessments.

The Houthis have threatened additional attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure and warned airlines against operating in Saudi airspace.

The US embassy in Riyadh has advised travellers to anticipate potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and disruption.

Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 8, 2026) The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as of October 8 and reminds all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance. The Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports, and the military conflict has the potential to escalate.  U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.  We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. U.S. citizens are advised to not travel near the Yemen border. Follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense. U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions:
U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.  U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif. Read more: https://t.co/RCh9Lov6Mv

— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) October 8, 2026

Passengers travelling to or from Saudi Arabia should check directly with their airline before departing for the airport, even where services remain scheduled.

Further cancellations remain possible as airlines assess the security situation and Saudi authorities work to restore normal airport operations.