Private jet charter costs from Saudi Arabia soar after Houthi attacks

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

The closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport due to Houthi attacks has caused a sharp increase in private jet charter prices, with rates rising over 50 percent amid heightened security risks and reduced flight availability. This disruption is forcing wealthy travelers to use alternative airports like al-Qassim and leading companies to consider relocating staff, while ongoing flight cancellations continue to strain the aviation sector in the region.

The cost of chartering private jets to and from Saudi Arabia has risen sharply following a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks that led to the closure of Riyadh’s main airport. Since October 10, King Khalid International Airport has been shut down, prompting widespread cancellations of commercial flights and creating increased demand for alternative travel options.

According to aviation experts and brokers, the surge in demand from wealthy individuals and business executives trying to leave the country has driven private jet prices up by more than 50 percent. The cost of war-risk insurance has also escalated, further pushing up the total expenses for travelers. Some operators have ceased services to Saudi Arabia amid the heightened security risks, tightening availability and contributing to higher prices.

One example highlighted by industry professionals involved a Bombardier Global 6000 flight departing from al-Qassim airport, located over 200 miles north of Riyadh. This 14-passenger, long-range jet was chartered last week for approximately €94,000 on a route to Geneva, compared with a typical rate of about €60,000 before the airport closure. Charles Robinson, founder of EnterJets marketplace, indicated that charter flights from Saudi Arabia to Europe are now priced up to $150,000, while routes to the United Arab Emirates range between $30,000 and $50,000.

Al-Qassim airport, a smaller regional hub, has emerged as a key departure point, with several wealthy travelers opting for private jets out of there. Local Saudi airlines continue operating commercial flights from al-Qassim to destinations such as Dubai, Cairo, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, some travelers who cannot afford private flights have been making overland journeys to neighboring countries like Bahrain and Qatar to access commercial flights.

The disruption has also prompted western companies to reconsider the deployment of their personnel based in Riyadh. Several businesses are reportedly in contact with flight brokers to explore options for relocating key staff either to Dubai or back to their home countries.

Since the beginning of the Houthi strikes, more than 5,500 departing flights have been cancelled across Saudi airports, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Major international carriers including Lufthansa and Italy’s ITA have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia, following earlier postponements from British Airways and Air France.

The situation underscores the continuing volatility in the region and its immediate impact on travel and aviation operations. The ongoing security concerns and restricted access to Riyadh’s main airport are expected to maintain pressure on both the cost and availability of private and commercial flights in the near term.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.