Airlines Suspend Saudi Flights After Deadly Houthi Missile Attacks
Delta Air Lines, IndiGo, and Akasa Air suspended or delayed flights to Saudi Arabia following deadly Houthi missile strikes on several regional airports.
Multiple international airlines have suspended or delayed operations in Saudi Arabia following a series of deadly Houthi rebel attacks on aviation infrastructure. Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh until March 2027, moving the original October 23 start date due to evolving security developments.
The disruptions follow a Saturday strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 13 people and injured more than 300, followed by a second attack on Sunday that killed one person. Houthi rebels, an Iran-aligned militia in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the ballistic missile strikes in Riyadh and a drone attack on an airbase in Khamis Mushait. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation also confirmed a strike on Dammam airport.
In response, IndiGo and Akasa Air extended their flight suspensions to and from Saudi Arabia until October 17, 2026. The Saudi government has extended the closure of Riyadh's international airport for safety inspections. Internationally, the FAA and EASA issued warnings to carriers, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated he is considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
