Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopens but airline cancellations continue

Disruption overview

Airlines continued to suspend Saudi Arabia services despite Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopening on 18 October 2026 after a closure caused by Houthi attacks.

Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and other carriers maintained cancellations or schedule changes, with disruption also affecting Jeddah, Dammam, and other Saudi destinations. Some suspensions extend into November or beyond, while British Airways plans a Riyadh return on 3 November and Cathay Pacific's suspension runs to 31 January 2027.

If you're affected, compensation is generally unlikely because of the security-related cause, but refund, rebooking, and care rights may still apply depending on your flight.

Get flight compensation

Check if the airline owes you money for your delayed or canceled flight

Disruption details

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened on 18 October 2026 following a closure caused by attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. However, airlines including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways continued to cancel or adjust flights to Saudi Arabia.

For passengers, the reopening didn't necessarily mean their journey could go ahead. If you're booked to travel, your airline's schedule still matters: several carriers have extended suspensions into November or later, while others are preparing to restart services.

The disruption extends beyond Riyadh to Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Taif, and Madinah. Security concerns and wider regional uncertainty continue to affect airline operations, with different restart dates depending on the carrier and destination.

As of 18 October 2026, airlines operating across the Gulf had announced the following changes:

• Etihad Airways canceled all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until 19 October. Its services to Dammam and Jeddah were also affected.

• Emirates made cancellations and schedule changes on its Dubai–Riyadh, Dubai–Jeddah, and Dubai–Dammam routes.

• Flydubai canceled flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha up to 19 October.

• Air Arabia canceled services from Sharjah to Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, and Taif.

• Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam.

• Gulf Air said flights after 18 October would operate as scheduled following earlier Riyadh cancellations.

• Oman Air suspended all flights to and from Riyadh until 22 October.

• SalamAir canceled Riyadh and Dammam services until 31 October because of regional security developments.

European airlines have also extended cancellations, although British Airways plans to restart its Riyadh service in early November:

• Air France extended its Riyadh suspension to 24 October.

• British Airways planned to return to Riyadh with 1 daily flight from 3 November.

• Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights until 18 November and Dammam flights until 30 November.

• KLM extended cancellations for Riyadh and Dammam to 31 October.

Services connecting Saudi Arabia with India, other parts of Asia, and the United States face a mix of shorter suspensions and longer-term changes:

• Air India and Air India Express suspended Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam services until 24 October.

• Akasa Air suspended Riyadh flights until 24 October and Jeddah flights until 21 October.

• IndiGo canceled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until 24 October.

• Cathay Pacific extended its Riyadh suspension to 31 January 2027.

• Pakistan International Airlines suspended Riyadh flights.

• Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route from 23 October to March 2027.

• Malaysia Airlines said Jeddah and Madinah services would resume on 18 October following a safety review.

• Philippine Airlines suspended Riyadh flights until 29 November.

• Scoot canceled Singapore–Jeddah flights until 2 December.

If your trip is affected, check your specific flight with your airline rather than assuming the airport's reopening means normal service has resumed. The announced dates differ considerably, even for airlines serving the same destination.

Compensation is generally unlikely for cancellations caused by these attacks and related security restrictions, but that doesn't mean you're without support. Depending on the rules covering your flight, you may still be entitled to a refund or alternative flight, plus food, refreshments, and accommodation if you're left waiting overnight. Ask your airline about rebooking and care.

Protect your future trips with AirHelp+

Secure your flights, luggage and get lounge access

Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.