ITA Airways suspends Rome–Riyadh flights as airport remains closed

Disruption overview

Travelers booked with ITA Airways between Rome and Riyadh face a route suspension until 16 October 2026 after Saudi authorities extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport following an attack. Flights can't resume until the airport reopens, so you should check official airline updates before traveling rather than assume the suspension's end date guarantees a restart. Rome–Dubai services are separately suspended through 30 November 2026, while most of ITA Airways' wider network continues operating. Compensation for the attack-related Riyadh disruption is unlikely because the closure is outside the airline's control, but affected passengers may still have rights to refunds, rebooking, and care.

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Disruption details

ITA Airways has suspended its Rome–Riyadh service until 16 October 2026 while King Khalid International Airport remains closed following an attack. Saudi aviation authorities extended the airport suspension on 12 October, preventing flights from operating between Rome Fiumicino Airport in Italy and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

For passengers, this means disrupted travel plans and the need to check alternatives before setting off. If you're booked to or from Riyadh, check your flight's status through ITA Airways' official channels before heading to the airport.

The Riyadh service can't restart until the airport reopens. The airline's suspension until 16 October shouldn't be treated as a confirmed restart date: reopening the airport is a necessary step before flights can resume.

Further disruption at Saudi airports could be announced at short notice. Schedules can change quickly, so keep checking official updates as your departure approaches.

ITA Airways' Rome–Dubai flights are also suspended through 30 November 2026, including that date. Passengers traveling between Rome and Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates should use the airline's current-information page for rebooking, refunds, and updates on when the route will restart.

These are targeted route suspensions, not a shutdown of ITA Airways' wider network. Most services continue from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate, with destinations across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and South America.

When checking your booking, look at which airline actually operates your flight. Some destinations on ITA Airways' network pages are served through code-share arrangements, meaning a partner airline operates the service rather than ITA itself.

For the Riyadh disruption, compensation is unlikely under EC 261 or UK 261 where those rules apply, because the attack-related airport closure is outside the airline's control. That doesn't mean you're without support: refunds, rebooking, and care during a wait may still apply to your journey.

If your flight is canceled, contact ITA Airways about an alternative journey or a refund if you no longer want to travel. Depending on your circumstances, care can also include food, refreshments, and accommodation if you're delayed overnight away from home. You can use AirHelp's free flight checker to better understand your rights for your specific flight.

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