Is Riyadh airport open for international flights? Latest restrictions explained

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is officially open, but international flights remain far from normal.

Aircraft operators must still obtain prior permission to land or depart, while many airlines continue to cancel services despite the airport’s reopening.

The restrictions, introduced after missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital, have left passengers facing ongoing uncertainty. Although some flights remain on published schedules, airlines are still assessing operational and security risks.

There is no confirmed date for a full return to unrestricted international passenger services.

Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 reports that Riyadh airport is open to traffic subject to prior permission, but that no passenger flight had sought authorisation at the time of its update.

Riyadh Airport is open to traffic with prior permission, but so far no passenger flight has sought that permission. Since reopening, only private and cargo flights have operated at RUH. https://t.co/qdT3aOyLdf https://t.co/2tpJnkNmJz

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 20, 2026

As of this morning, Flightradar24 still showed King Khalid International as the world’s most disrupted airport, with a disruption index of 5.0, 180 cancelled flights and 3 delayed flights.

The only commercial airlines listed as operating for departures and arrivals were Saudia and flynas, though the schedule listing alone does not guarantee the flight will operate.

Riyadh Airport reopens under restrictions

The airport reopened on 18 October after more than a week of disruption. However, scheduled passenger services have not returned to normal, and international airlines continue to cancel flights to the Saudi capital.

Under NOTAM A3650/26, aircraft operators must obtain prior permission from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for arrivals and departures. A separate notice, A3651/26, prevents airlines from planning to use Riyadh as a diversion airport.

Both restrictions took effect on 17 October and have no specified expiry date.

Although some passenger flights still appear on published schedules, their presence does not confirm they have operated. Airlines including Lufthansa, KLM and Philippine Airlines have extended cancellations into November.

The airport’s restricted reopening offers little certainty to passengers waiting for regular commercial services to resume.

Which airlines are still cancelling Riyadh flights?

Several international carriers have announced cancellations extending well beyond the airport’s reopening. 

According to the airlines’ published advisories, Lufthansa has suspended Riyadh services through 18 November, while KLM has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam flights through 31 October.

Philippine Airlines has suspended its Riyadh services until 29 November. Cathay Pacific has postponed its planned return to Riyadh until the end of January 2027.

Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have also extended cancellations affecting Riyadh and Dammam through 24 October.

Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its new Atlanta-Riyadh service, originally scheduled for 23 October, until March 2027. 

Why are airlines not returning to Riyadh?

The restrictions follow repeated missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital, including strikes that damaged airport facilities and commercial aircraft.

Security concerns extend beyond the airport to the airspace itself.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised operators to avoid designated areas of Saudi airspace and exercise caution elsewhere because of missile and drone activity, air defence operations and the risk of aircraft being misidentified.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a separate advisory urging caution over Saudi Arabia because of military activity and interference with satellite navigation systems.

These warnings do not prohibit every flight to Saudi Arabia. Airlines must assess the risks before deciding whether to resume services.

As AGN has previously reported, six commercial aircraft were damaged during the attacks, with a combined insured value of approximately $375 million, according to an insurance report reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

What should passengers travelling to Riyadh do?

Passengers should not assume that an existing booking means their flight will operate.

Airlines may continue cancelling or rescheduling flights even while the airport remains officially open. Travellers should check their flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled should contact their airline or travel agent about alternative arrangements, rebooking and refunds.

The airport remains available to authorised aircraft movements, but there is no confirmed date for the restoration of unrestricted scheduled passenger operations.