Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until October 17, forcing airlines to cancel or suspend services as deadly attacks on the Saudi capital raise fresh concerns about aviation safety across the Middle East.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said operations had been suspended to complete safety checks and ensure the airport’s facilities were ready for operation. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) subsequently specified that the closure would remain in effect until 2100 GMT on October 17.
The shutdown has disrupted international travel and prompted airlines to revise their schedules as authorities assess the security situation.
Deadly Attacks Force Riyadh Airport Closure
The airport was closed after a series of attacks over the weekend. Saudi authorities reported that an attack on Saturday killed 13 people and injured more than 300. A further strike on Sunday killed one person and injured 11 others, according to reporting by Anadolu Agency.
The attacks have intensified concerns about the safety of civilian aviation infrastructure in a region already affected by armed conflict.
Mark Zee, founder of aviation safety organisation OPSGROUP, described the sustained intensity of the attacks on civil aviation as unprecedented. He said the situation required a careful reassessment of aviation risks.
The closure is intended to allow authorities to complete safety procedures and assess the airport’s operational readiness before services resume. The October 17 deadline is the stated closure period, not a guarantee that flights will restart immediately afterwards.
Airlines Cancel Flights to Saudi Arabia
Several international airlines have suspended or postponed flights to Riyadh in response to the disruption.
According to Reuters reporting on October 12, Lufthansa Group cancelled its Riyadh services through October 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension of flights to and from the Saudi capital until the end of October.
Etihad Airways also suspended services to Saudi Arabia, while Delta Air Lines delayed the planned launch of its Atlanta-to-Riyadh route from October 23 until March 2027. Other carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, Gulf Air and Philippine Airlines, announced cancellations or schedule changes.
Passengers travelling through Saudi Arabia should check directly with their airline before leaving for the airport. Flight schedules may change as security assessments and official restrictions are updated.
Flight Disruptions Spread Beyond Riyadh
The disruption has extended beyond the Saudi capital. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that cancellations across Saudi airports reached 46.4% on Monday, according to the supplied report.
Flight-tracking data showed aircraft avoiding Riyadh while some flights continued to cross Saudi airspace and land at Jeddah, the kingdom’s major western aviation hub. However, the availability of flights at another airport does not guarantee that passengers can easily transfer between destinations or secure replacement bookings.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has advised American carriers to exercise caution when operating to or over Saudi Arabia amid the heightened security risks.
The scale of the cancellations has created challenges for airlines, passengers and connecting travellers. People with upcoming journeys should confirm their booking status, rebooking options and refund eligibility through official airline channels.
Aviation Safety Concerns Grow Across the Region
The Riyadh airport shutdown is among the most significant recent disruptions to Saudi air travel. It also highlights the vulnerability of civilian aviation to conflict-related threats.
Airlines must assess the safety of individual routes, while aviation authorities determine when airport facilities can safely resume operations. These decisions can affect not only direct flights but also connecting journeys, crew schedules and aircraft availability across wider networks.
For now, the closure of King Khalid International Airport remains in place until the stated October 17 deadline. Any resumption of services will depend on official instructions and safety assessments.
Travellers should rely on updated airport notices and airline advisories rather than assume flights will operate as originally scheduled.
