Saudi civil aviation extends suspension of operations at Riyadh airport
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- Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
- The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the extension is intended to verify the safety of airport facilities and operational readiness, without specifying a reopening time.
Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as authorities continue safety inspections following attacks on the facility over the weekend.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the extension on Monday, October 12, saying the measure was necessary to complete procedures to verify the safety of airport facilities and their operational readiness, in coordination with relevant authorities. It did not specify when operations would resume. (Saudi Press Agency; Anadolu Agency)
The extension follows a series of attacks on the airport. Saudi authorities said a strike on Saturday, October 10, killed at least 12 people and injured 309 others. A further incident on Sunday involved a projectile striking Terminal 4, causing a fire and leaving one person dead and 11 injured, according to reports citing Saudi authorities. Saudi air defenses also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, the Saudi-led coalition said. (CBS News/AP; Reuters)
The Saudi-led coalition has blamed Yemen’s Houthi movement for attacks on the airport. The incidents have prompted continued safety assessments and widespread disruption to air travel.
The suspension has affected domestic and international travel, with airlines cancelling or adjusting services to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations. Reuters reported that 99.7% of scheduled flights at King Khalid International Airport were cancelled on Sunday, while about 60% of Monday’s flights were expected to be cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. (Reuters)
Authorities have not announced a timeline for resuming airport operations. Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information.
