Riyadh's King Khalid airport now needs GACA permission for every flight, and most foreign airlines have kept Saudi suspensions until 24 October or later.
Cover image: A flynas Airbus A320 at a gate at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh (file photo) — photo by Kskhh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reports conflict on whether Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has reopened, but every arrival and departure now needs prior permission from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The National and Skift say it reopened on 18 October; on 19 October Bloomberg reported that GACA and airport representatives still described it as shut, and AFP said it was closed until further notice.
As of 19 October 2026, most foreign airlines have not returned: Cirium data reported by Skift showed 66% of flights scheduled at Riyadh cancelled that day. Qatar Airways, Etihad, flydubai, Air India and IndiGo keep Saudi suspensions until 24 October, and Lufthansa stays out of Riyadh until 18 November. The UK has tightened its advice, and the Future Investment Initiative (FII) is postponed to 2027. Check dates with the carrier.
What has changed at Riyadh airport since 16 October?
Our 16 October report on the Houthi attacks that closed Riyadh airport described a full shutdown. It has given way to two notices to airmen, Aerospace Global News reports: A3650/26 imposes the prior-permission rule, and A3651/26 bars airlines from planning Riyadh as a diversion airport. Both took effect on 17 October with no expiry date.
Two regional airline sources told AFP their carriers had been told the airport would stay closed until further notice, or at least until 24 October.
Attacks continue: the Saudi military said it destroyed several drones launched at the Riyadh region on 16 and 17 October, CNBC reported, and on 19 October the Houthis claimed new attacks on targets including the airport, according to Reuters. The 10 October strike on the airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, CNBC says. Citing the Wall Street Journal, Aerospace Global News says six damaged aircraft had a combined insured value of about US$375 million, and that the damage could affect war-risk insurance costs.
Which airlines are still suspending Saudi Arabia flights?
Positions are from The National (updated 11:30 UTC, 19 October) unless an airline statement is newer.
| Airline | Services affected | Suspended until (as of 19 October) |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh, Dammam; Jeddah cut from seven to four daily flights | 24 October |
| Etihad | Riyadh, Dammam; Jeddah flights EY601 to EY604 | 24 October |
| Emirates | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam | Riyadh resumes 20 to 21 October, Jeddah 21 October (Flightradar24); no Dammam date |
| flydubai | Riyadh, Dammam, Abha | 24 October, inclusive |
| Air Arabia | Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, Taif | No date given |
| Gulf Air | Riyadh | Operating as scheduled after 18 October |
| Oman Air | Riyadh | 22 October |
| SalamAir | Riyadh, Dammam | 31 October |
| Air France | Riyadh | 24 October (The National); 31 October (Wego, citing Air France) |
| KLM | Riyadh, Dammam | 31 October |
| Lufthansa Group | Riyadh; Dammam | 18 November; 30 November (Eurowings Jeddah 12 November) |
| British Airways | Riyadh | One daily flight from 3 November |
| Air India, Air India Express | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam | 24 October |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | 24 October |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh, Jeddah | 27 October (extended 18 October) |
| Pakistan International Airlines | Riyadh | No date given (suspended 9 October) |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh | 29 November |
| Scoot | Singapore to Jeddah | 2 December |
| Malaysia Airlines | Jeddah, Madinah | Restart set for 18 October |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh | 31 January 2027 |
Two suspensions predate this month's strikes. KLM's newsroom shows Riyadh and Dammam cancelled in rolling extensions since late February, and Cathay Pacific's notice is dated 28 September.
Saudia, flynas, Riyadh Air and flyadeal have resumed flying at Riyadh, Skift reports, though Travel Weekly says Riyadh Air and Saudia still cancel Riyadh flights, including Heathrow services. Riyadh Air offers flexibility to passengers booked to travel until 30 October; agent bookings go through the agent.
What does the UK's tighter advice mean for travel insurance?
On Friday 16 October the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) began advising against all but essential travel to all of Saudi Arabia, Travel Weekly reported. It still advises against all travel within 10km of the Yemen border, and its advice page warns that "further attacks against airports as well as disruption and cancellations are very likely".
The key line for agents: travel insurance "could be invalidated if you travel against advice" from the FCDO. Confirm cover with the insurer; see our guide to what travel insurance covers.
Why was the FII investment conference postponed?
On 19 October Saudi Arabia postponed the Future Investment Initiative, scheduled for 26 to 29 October in Riyadh, to 2027, CNBC reported. "We will announce the new 2027 dates very soon," the organisers said.
CNBC was told some participants had planned to fly to Bahrain and drive five hours to Riyadh.
FII is key to Riyadh's plans to diversify its oil-dependent economy, CNBC notes, the goal of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 push.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riyadh airport open?
Reports conflict. As of 19 October 2026, NOTAM A3650/26 requires GACA's prior permission for every flight. The National and Skift say the airport reopened on 18 October, but Bloomberg and AFP reported on 19 October that it was still shut. Check with your airline.
When will airlines resume flights to Riyadh?
As of 19 October 2026, most published Riyadh dates fall between 20 October (some Emirates flights, per Flightradar24) and 29 November (Philippine Airlines), with Qatar Airways, Etihad, flydubai and IndiGo at 24 October. Cathay Pacific's earlier suspension runs to 31 January 2027. Confirm with the carrier.
Is UK travel insurance valid for Saudi Arabia now?
It may not be. Since 16 October the FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia, warning that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Check the policy wording with your insurer; non-UK travellers should follow their own government's advice.
Sources
- The National, Saudi flight cancellations
- Aerospace Global News, Why airlines avoid Riyadh
- Business Times (Bloomberg), Riyadh restricts traffic
- The Economic Times (AFP), Saudi airport closure
- Skift, Cirium cancellation data
- Hindustan Times (Reuters), Houthi attack claims
- Aletihad, Etihad Saudi cancellations
- ANI, Akasa Air suspension
- Wego, Air France flight status
- KLM, Middle East statement
- CNBC, FII postponed
- GOV.UK, FCDO Saudi Arabia advice
- Travel Weekly, FCDO Saudi advice
