Airlines Cancel Saudi Arabia Flights After Riyadh Airport Attacks

Several international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to Saudi Arabia and neighbouring destinations following deadly weekend attacks on Riyadh airport by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group. The disruptions add to wider travel challenges across the region since the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran began.

According to a Notice to Airmen issued on Monday, Riyadh airport will remain closed until October 17. Airlines have announced different suspension periods and schedule changes as they respond to the security situation.

Here is a list of airlines that have announced flight cancellations or schedule changes:

1. Air France-KLM: The Franco-Dutch airline group has extended its earlier suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until the end of October.
   
   
2. Air India: The Indian carrier has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Riyadh until October 15.
   
   
3. Akasa Air: The Mumbai-based budget airline has suspended flights to Jeddah and Riyadh until October 13.
   
   
4. Cathay Pacific: The Hong Kong-based airline has postponed the planned resumption of its Hong Kong–Dubai and Hong Kong–Riyadh routes until January 31, 2027.
   
   
5. Delta Air Lines: The American carrier has delayed its planned flights from Atlanta to Riyadh until March 2027.
   
   
6. Etihad Airways: The Abu Dhabi-based airline has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, as well as 10 flights to Dammam and Jeddah, until October 19.
   
   
7. Gulf Air: Bahrain’s national carrier has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh from October 12 to October 17.
   
   
8. IndiGo: India’s largest airline has extended cancellations on routes to Riyadh and Dammam until October 15.
   
   
9. Lufthansa Group: Airlines owned by the German aviation group have cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 16.
   
   
10. Philippine Airlines: The Philippines’ national carrier has extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until November 29.
    
    
11. Qatar Airways: The Qatari airline has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam.
    

The cancellations and suspensions affect routes connecting Saudi Arabia with destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The airlines have announced different timelines for resuming services, with some suspensions extending into the coming months and 2027.