Riyadh's King Khalid airport reopened two terminals on 25 October for Saudi carriers only. Many foreign airlines stay out into November; Riyadh Air flies six routes from Al Qassim.
Cover image: A Riyadh Air Boeing 787-9 at London Heathrow (file photo) — photo by kitmasterbloke, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened Terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday 25 October 2026, two weeks after Houthi strikes shut it, but its notice covers Saudi airlines only. Posted on X on 24 October, it designates Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for "international flights operated by national carriers". As of 25 October 2026, many foreign airlines have pushed Riyadh returns into November or later.
Riyadh Air is not back at its home base either: from 25 October it flies six routes from Al Qassim, AeroCorner reported from the airline's travel update. This updates our 19 October report on Riyadh's permission-only restrictions.
What reopened at Riyadh airport on 25 October?
The notice names no airline or schedule and tells booked passengers to check with their airline first, AeroCorner noted.
Three explosions were heard in Riyadh that morning; the Saudi military said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile and drones, Seoul Economic Daily reported. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines against using the airport, calling it "unsafe" and "a military target for our forces", according to AFP.
AFP puts the toll from the 10 October attack at 13 killed and more than 300 wounded.
How is Riyadh Air operating from Al Qassim?
Its London Heathrow, Cairo, Jeddah, Dhaka, Lahore and Islamabad flights now use Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport near Buraydah, about 375 km from Riyadh by road, AeroCorner reported. Passengers check in and drop bags at the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh, where check-in closes 6 hours 30 minutes before departure, then take a coach the airline puts at 4 hours 30 minutes.
Al Qassim departures offer no online check-in and no connections. The set-up runs "until further notice".
Passengers booked to travel up to 7 November can rebook free onto other Riyadh Air flights through 30 November, and a full refund applies when an unused sector falls on or before 7 November. Its 24 October cancellation list also covers Dubai, Manchester, Mumbai, Manila, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, including routes it launched in September.
Which airlines are still suspending Riyadh flights?
Dates are from The National's list (updated 08:55 UTC, 25 October) unless stated. Since our 19 October table, Emirates, Etihad, Air India, Akasa Air and Air France have moved Riyadh dates into November.
| Airline | Services | Status as of 25 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah | Jeddah from 30 October; Riyadh and Dammam from 8 November |
| Etihad | Riyadh, Dammam, four Jeddah flights | Cancelled until 5 November |
| flydubai | Riyadh, Dammam, Abha | Resumes 30 October |
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh, Dammam | Riyadh up to and including 25 October; Dammam: no date |
| Air Arabia | Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, Taif | No resumption date |
| Oman Air | Riyadh | Suspended until 31 October |
| SalamAir | Riyadh, Dammam | Cancelled until 31 October |
| British Airways | Riyadh | One daily flight from 3 November |
| Air France | Riyadh | Suspended up to and including 14 November |
| KLM | Riyadh, Dammam | Cancelled up to 31 October |
| Lufthansa Group | Riyadh, Dammam | Riyadh until 18 November; Dammam until 30 November |
| Delta Air Lines | New Atlanta to Riyadh route | Launch, due 23 October, moved to March 2027 |
| Air India, Air India Express | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah | Riyadh and Dammam until 7 November; Jeddah until 31 October (PTI) or 7 November (The National) |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | Cancelled up to 31 October |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh, Jeddah | Riyadh until 30 November; Jeddah until 10 November |
| Biman Bangladesh | Riyadh, Dammam | Suspended until 4 November |
| Pakistan International Airlines | Riyadh | Suspended 9 October; no restart date |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh | Suspended until 29 November |
| Scoot | Singapore to Jeddah | Cancelled until 2 December |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh | Suspended to 31 January 2027 |
Biman: The Business Standard. Air India Jeddah: PTI via AeroCorner.
Why are foreign airlines staying away?
The US urges citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, one of 13 Middle Eastern countries under new advisories, warning that Houthi attacks "have the potential to escalate rapidly", The National reported on 24 October. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on 21 October that the latest attack on Dammam's King Fahd International Airport killed two people.
The attacks followed the breakdown of a years-long truce in the summer, AFP reported. Our 16 October report covers the first suspensions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riyadh airport open to foreign airlines?
Not under the airport's notice. Effective 25 October 2026, it assigns Terminal 2 to international flights by national carriers and sets no arrangements for foreign airlines, many of which have suspended Riyadh flights into November or later, The National's list shows.
How do passengers reach Al Qassim for a Riyadh Air flight?
They check in and drop bags at the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh, then take a free coach that Riyadh Air puts at 4 hours 30 minutes, according to AeroCorner. Hotel check-in closes 6 hours 30 minutes before departure. Drivers check in at Al Qassim and should allow about four hours.
Can Riyadh Air passengers get a refund?
Yes, within limits. According to the airline's travel update as reported by AeroCorner, a full refund applies when an unused sector falls on or before 7 November. Passengers booked to travel up to 7 November can instead rebook free onto other Riyadh Air flights through 30 November.
When will Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways fly to Riyadh again?
As of 25 October 2026, Emirates plans Riyadh and Dammam flights from 8 November, and Etihad has cancelled them until 5 November. Qatar Airways' Riyadh suspension ran up to and including 25 October, with Dammam still suspended, The National reported. Check each airline for extensions.
Sources
- The National, Saudi flight cancellations by airline
- The National, US travel advisories for 13 countries
- The Business Standard (AFP), Riyadh airport resumes flights
- The Business Standard, Biman extends Saudi suspensions
- Seoul Economic Daily, Blasts heard as Riyadh airport reopens
- AeroCorner, Riyadh Air moves six routes to Al Qassim
- AeroCorner, Riyadh airport reopens to Saudi airlines
