Airlines & Airspace · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and Yemen: which flights are running after the airport attacks
Riyadh's airport has partly reopened after missile attacks from Yemen, but many airlines are still suspending Saudi flights. What travellers need to know, and what to do.
By Roamie News Desk · Published · Updated
Illustration: Roamie · Generated for Roamie
Missile and drone attacks launched from Yemen have hit Saudi airports since early October, and flights in and out of the kingdom are still heavily disrupted. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport partly reopened on 25 October, about two weeks after a missile attack on 10 October that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 (Arab News). Many foreign airlines are still not flying there. Here is what is known as of 28 October 2026, and what it means if you have a trip booked.
What we know
- The attacks. Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and military sites, and says they respond to Saudi-led coalition strikes in Yemen. On 25 October the coalition said it had intercepted 12 missiles and two drones (CGTN).
- Riyadh reopened on limited terms. From 25 October, Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and Terminal 2 handles international flights operated by Saudi national carriers. The airport asked passengers to contact their airline to check their booking before travelling (Arab News).
- Dammam is affected too. Canada advises against all travel to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, as well as to Riyadh's airport, citing ongoing military activity disrupting airport operations (Government of Canada).
- The scale. According to Cirium data, 7,802 of 17,299 scheduled departures from Saudi airports (45.1%) were cancelled or did not fly between 8 and 25 October. At Riyadh the figure was about 86% (Airways Magazine).
- The threat hasn't ended. On 25 October a Houthi spokesman again called Riyadh's airport unsafe and warned airlines against using Saudi airspace, except over Mecca and Medina (CGTN).
- Yemen's own airports. Aden airport has been targeted several times this month, including on 7 October, when an incoming flight from Cairo was diverted to Jeddah. On 28 October the Houthi military spokesman called on people at Aden airport to leave immediately (Türkiye Today).
What it means for travellers
Many airlines have suspended flights. According to The National on 25 October, these are among the announced dates:
| Airline |
Status reported on 25 October |
| Emirates |
Jeddah resumes 30 October; Riyadh and Dammam 8 November; Medina operating |
| Etihad |
Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah cancelled until 5 November |
| Qatar Airways |
Jeddah reduced to four flights a day; Dammam suspended |
| flydubai |
Riyadh, Dammam and Abha resume 30 October |
| Lufthansa |
Riyadh until 18 November; Dammam through 30 November |
| Air France |
Riyadh up to and including 14 November |
| British Airways |
One daily Riyadh flight from 3 November |
| Air India / Air India Express |
Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until 7 November |
| IndiGo |
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah up to 31 October |
| Delta |
Atlanta–Riyadh launch moved to March 2027 |
These dates keep moving. An end date doesn't guarantee flights restart the next day, so check your own airline before you travel.
Jeddah and Umrah travel. Jeddah's airport has stayed open and is taking traffic that would normally go through Riyadh. Many Umrah visitors are travelling to Makkah and Madinah by road instead of on domestic flights (Skift). Even so, several airlines have cut or paused Jeddah flights (table above), so pilgrims should confirm every leg.
Longer routes over the region. Aviation risk service Safe Airspace advises operators to avoid Saudi airspace, and lists government warnings covering parts of the Jeddah flight information region. One example is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's bulletin, valid until 16 November (Safe Airspace). Some airlines are routing around these areas, which can mean longer flight times on routes between Europe and Asia.
Government advice has tightened.
- The UK advises against all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border and all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia. It says further attacks on airports and cancellations are "very likely" (GOV.UK, updated 27 October).
- Canada advises against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, and against all travel to Asir, Jazan and Najran provinces and to within 30 km of the Yemen border (Government of Canada).
- The US State Department has ordered non-emergency government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia (CGTN).
What to do
- Check your flight on the airline's own website or app before you leave for the airport. Riyadh airport itself asks passengers to do this (Arab News).
- Read your government's travel advice, for example the UK's or Canada's. Travel against official advice can affect your travel insurance, so check your policy.
- If your flight is cancelled, ask the airline about rebooking or a refund. Ask whether it can move you to an airport that is still operating, such as Jeddah or Medina.
- If you're already in Saudi Arabia and your flight is cancelled, the UK's advice mentions travelling overland to a neighbouring country and flying from there (GOV.UK).
- Keep your booking references, visa and insurance documents somewhere you can reach offline, in case you need to rebook at short notice.
What happens next
Several suspensions are due to end between 30 October and 18 November (see the table), but airlines have already extended them more than once. Watch for updates from your airline and from your government's travel advice page.
Sources
- Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport to reopen terminals on Sunday — Arab News
- Saudi Arabia flight cancellations: Which airlines are suspending services and until when? — The National
- Saudi Arabia travel advice — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Saudi Arabia travel advice and advisories — Government of Canada
- Riyadh airport partially reopens as Houthis, Saudi-led coalition exchange attacks — CGTN
- Riyadh Airport Disruption Hit 86% of Departures October 8–25 — Airways Magazine
- Corporate Travel to Saudi Arabia Freezes as Riyadh Airport Stays Restricted — Skift
- Saudi Arabia — Safe Airspace
- Houthis claim 11 killed in Saudi strikes, urge Aden airport evacuation — Türkiye Today