RIYADH (The Thursday Times) — International airlines have extended flight suspensions affecting Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with some services now delayed until 2027, following a series of attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement earlier this month.
Air France-KLM has extended its suspension of services to and from Riyadh through 7 November, while its flights to Dubai remain suspended through 31 October. Cathay Pacific has postponed the resumption of its Hong Kong–Dubai and Hong Kong–Riyadh routes until 31 January 2027. Lufthansa Group carriers have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until 18 November, and Philippine Airlines has extended its Riyadh suspension until 29 November.
Other airlines have issued shorter suspensions. Air India has halted flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until 24 October, as has IndiGo for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. Akasa Air has suspended services to Jeddah and Riyadh through 27 October. Etihad Airways has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam until 24 October, along with four flights to Jeddah. Delta Air Lines has delayed the planned launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route until March 2027 and issued a travel waiver for journeys to, from and through Riyadh between 23 October and 27 March. Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam with no resumption date given, and Gulf Air’s Riyadh flights remained suspended as of Tuesday after an initial cancellation period that ran from 12 to 17 October. Malaysia Airlines resumed its Jeddah and Madinah services on 18 October.
King Khalid International Airport reopened last Saturday after the attacks, but airlines must now obtain permission from Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority before operating arrivals or departures, as international carriers continue adjusting their schedules.
The disruption follows a wave of Houthi strikes on the airport earlier in October that killed at least 20 people, including Saudi and foreign nationals. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which came the same week a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the group; the coalition has vowed to respond decisively. Passengers with upcoming journeys have been advised to check their flight status directly with their airline, as the suspension dates reported by airlines may continue to change.∎
