Riyadh Airport Flights: Which Airlines Are Still Cancelling After the Reopening?

Riyadh airport flights remain heavily disrupted even though King Khalid International Airport reopened at the weekend, with dozens of international airlines extending cancellations to Saudi Arabia into late October, November and, in some cases, 2027. Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulator is requiring airlines to obtain permission for every arrival and departure, leaving many passengers with few options for getting into or out of the capital.

The airport was closed after an attack by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement on 10 October, which caused injuries and prompted the authorities to suspend operations while they assessed damage and carried out safety checks. Reuters, via Semafor, reported on 20 October that most scheduled flights had been cancelled so far this week.

Is Riyadh Airport Open Again?

Yes, but with tight restrictions. King Khalid International Airport resumed operations at the weekend, though reports differ on whether it was Saturday, 17 October, or Sunday, 18 October. Airlines must obtain prior permission from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) before operating any arrival or departure, according to a notice to airmen (NOTAM) cited by Reuters and Gulf Business.

In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency on 10 October, GACA confirmed that the airport had been targeted that afternoon. On 12 October, the regulator extended the suspension while it verified the safety and readiness of airport facilities, Gulf Business reported.

Reuters also reported that US and European regulators were warning carriers about Saudi airspace. The flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed 98 cancellations at the airport by 11am on Monday, 19 October, according to Travel Monitor.

How Much Damage Was Done?

The attacks damaged six aircraft with a combined insured value of about $375 million, The Wall Street Journal reported, according to Semafor. That prompted Saudi carriers to move aircraft worth up to $4 billion out of the city.

Which Airlines Are Still Cancelling Flights to Saudi Arabia?

Airline schedules are changing quickly, and dates below may be extended again. Based on reports by The National, Gulf Business and Reuters, as of 19 and 20 October:

• Lufthansa Group: Riyadh flights suspended until 18 November and Dammam until 30 November. Eurowings is due to resume Jeddah flights on 12 November.
• Air France-KLM: Riyadh flights suspended through 7 November, according to Reuters. KLM has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam flights until 31 October.
• British Airways: due to return to Riyadh with one flight a day from 3 November, under previously announced plans.
• Etihad Airways: Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled until 24 October, along with some Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services.
• Emirates: several Dubai–Riyadh and Dubai–Jeddah flights cancelled on 20 and 21 October.
• Flydubai: Riyadh flights not scheduled to operate until 25 October.
• Qatar Airways: Riyadh and Dammam suspended until at least 24 October, with Jeddah services cut from seven daily to four.
• Air Arabia: flights from Sharjah to several Saudi cities cancelled with no resumption date announced.
• Oman Air: Riyadh flights suspended until 22 October; SalamAir has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam until 31 October.
• Gulf Air: still suspending Riyadh services as of 20 October, according to Gulf Business.
• Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo: Saudi services cancelled until 24 October. Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh and Jeddah until 27 October.
• Philippine Airlines: Riyadh flights suspended until 29 November.
• Scoot: Singapore–Jeddah flights cancelled until 2 December.
• Cathay Pacific: Riyadh suspended until 31 January 2027.
• Delta Air Lines: launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route postponed from 23 October to March 2027.

There are some signs of recovery elsewhere in the kingdom. Malaysia Airlines resumed flights to Jeddah and Madinah on 18 October after a safety review, The National reported.

Why Do the Dates Differ Between Reports?

Some airlines have updated their advisories several times in recent days, and different outlets have reported different dates. Air France, for example, was reported by The National on 19 October to have suspended Riyadh flights until 24 October, while a later Reuters report cited by Gulf Business put the suspension at 7 November. Travellers should check directly with their airline before travelling.

How Are Travellers Getting Out of Riyadh?

With most scheduled flights cancelled, many travellers are driving to Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to catch commercial flights, the Financial Times reported, according to Semafor. Wealthier passengers are paying a premium of more than 50% compared with pre-war rates to fly privately from al-Qassim airport, almost four hours’ drive north of Riyadh.

The disruption is also affecting business travel. The Future Investment Initiative Institute has postponed its flagship FII10 conference, often called “Davos in the Desert”, which was due to take place in Riyadh from 26 to 29 October, to 2027. Gulf Business said the postponement came amid escalating security concerns following Houthi missile and drone attacks.

What Is the UK Government Advising?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen and against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia. Its advice, last updated on 17 October, tells British nationals to stay away from King Khalid International Airport “until it is secure” and to follow the instructions of the Saudi authorities.

The FCDO says the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at several locations in Saudi Arabia since 13 July, and that there is a heightened threat against airports, military sites, ports and energy infrastructure in cities including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. “Further attacks against airports as well as disruption and cancellations are very likely,” it warns.

As an alternative to Saudi airports, the FCDO suggests British nationals wishing to leave consider travelling by land to a neighbouring country and flying from there, after checking that country’s entry requirements. It also warns that travel insurance could be invalidated by travelling against its advice.

What Should Affected Passengers Do?

Travellers booked on flights to or from Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks should take several steps:

• Check your airline directly: cancellation dates have changed repeatedly, so rely on the carrier’s own advisory rather than third-party summaries.
• Ask about rebooking and refunds: many airlines offer free changes or refunds when they cancel a flight. Passengers on flights covered by UK or EU passenger rights rules may have additional protections.
• Check travel insurance: policies may exclude cancellations linked to war or conflict, or where government advice has changed.
• Follow government advice: check the latest FCDO or national government advice before deciding whether to travel.
• Consider alternative routes: some travellers are using airports in neighbouring countries, but overland journeys may involve border formalities and additional costs.

What About Expats Living in Saudi Arabia?

For residents and expatriate workers, the restrictions may affect plans to travel home or return to the kingdom. Employers may be able to advise on travel policies and alternative arrangements. Residents should keep travel documents up to date and register with their embassy where such services are offered.

What Does It Mean for the Wider Region?

The disruption has affected air links between Saudi Arabia and major international hubs, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Frankfurt and Paris, Gulf Business reported. It comes amid wider regional uncertainty that has already affected airlines’ Middle East operations, according to The National.

The UK has deployed RAF Typhoons to help defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, as we reported in UK Typhoon deployment to Saudi Arabia. Shipping in the region has also been affected, as covered in our report on tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and oil prices.

How quickly flights return is likely to depend on the security situation and on whether regulators ease the requirement for airlines to obtain permission for each flight. Until then, travellers should expect continued cancellations and short-notice changes.

What to Watch

• GACA restrictions: whether Saudi Arabia eases the prior-permission requirement for flights.
• Airline updates: further extensions or resumptions, especially around 24 October, 31 October and mid-November.
• Regulator warnings: advice from US and European aviation authorities on Saudi airspace.
• British Airways: whether its planned 3 November return to Riyadh goes ahead.
• Security situation: any further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

For more, see our Travel & Relocation News section.

Sources

• Semafor (Reuters) — Airlines shun reopened Riyadh airport after last week’s attacks (20 October 2026).
• The National — Riyadh airport reopens: Which airlines are still cancelling flights to Saudi Arabia? (19 October 2026).
• Gulf Business — Riyadh airport reopens: Airlines delay Saudi services, with some routes pushed into 2027 (20 October 2026).
• GOV.UK (FCDO) — Saudi Arabia travel advice (17 October 2026).
• Travel Monitor — Daily watch list: What is affecting travel today, 20 October 2026 (20 October 2026).