Houthi Attacks Force Closure of Major Saudi Airports
Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, forcing widespread flight suspensions and stranding thousands of passengers across multiple international carriers.
The Houthi militia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Saudi civilian airports and economic infrastructure, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The attacks, intended to pressure the Saudi government to end military involvement in Yemen, caused casualties and forced the closure of the Riyadh airport until at least October 17, 2026.
The strikes triggered massive aviation instability, affecting over 3,100 flights between October 8 and 14. Indian carriers Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air suspended services to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until October 17. Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 17, while US-Bangla Airlines extended its suspension to Riyadh until October 21. These disruptions left up to 14,655 passengers from Dhaka stranded, prompting authorities to redirect travelers to operational hubs in Madinah and Jeddah.
Other international airlines, including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, also postponed or cancelled flights to Riyadh. On October 14 alone, nearly 29% of scheduled flights from Saudi airports were cancelled. The Houthi forces warned international travelers to avoid Saudi aviation hubs, declaring the airspace unsafe except for Mecca and Medina.
The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia declared that the militia will bear the consequences of these crimes. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated aid for stranded citizens, the government praised the rapid restoration of crude oil flows through the East-West Pipeline following the attacks.
