Photo posted on social media believed to show the damaged plane on the tarmac of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
Saudia Airlines confirms pilot killed and plane damaged in Houthi attack on Riyadh airport
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Saudi Arabia’s national carrier “Saudia” announced the death of pilot Hamoud bin Ali Al-Kalthami, following a Houthi attack at King Khalid International Airport on Thursday.
In an official statement, the airline said the “martyr” captain passed away as a result of the events at the airport, without specifying any details.
The incident occurred amid attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The group said it targeted the Riyadh airport with ballistic missiles.
A Saudia aircraft parked on the ground with no passengers aboard was damaged by fire.
Saudia also confirmed one plane was hit; airport operations resumed by 6 PM Thursday, per the statement.
Earlier this week, Saudi civil aviation authorities reported that strikes on King Khalid and Abha airports killed three people — an Egyptian and an Algerian national in Abha, and a Sudanese national in Riyadh — and injured dozens.
Saudi forces said they intercepted some incoming missiles.
Several international airlines temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh in response to the threats and disruptions.
