Riyadh airport extends shutdown after deadly attacks
Saudi authorities have extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following deadly Houthi attacks. The airport closure is expected to last at least until October 15 as officials verify the safety of the facilities.
Why it matters
The disruption highlights the escalating security risks to critical infrastructure in the Middle East and the potential for regional instability to impact global travel and logistics.
Saudi authorities on Monday (October 12, 2026) extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s international airport following a series of deadly Houthi attacks.
Strikes on the airport last week killed at least 18 people, including 13 on Saturday (October 10) in the deadliest attack on the country in more than a decade, which also left hundreds wounded.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation in a statement “announced the extension of the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport”.
It said the extension was needed to “complete the necessary procedures to verify the safety of the facilities and their operational readiness”.
The authority did not specify when operations would resume.
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