Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following a series of missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants that have significantly disrupted civilian travel and heightened regional tensions. The airport closure, announced by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, is expected to remain in effect until at least October 17 as authorities conduct safety inspections and repair damage from the strikes.
The attacks, which have occurred repeatedly over the past week, include a particularly deadly strike on Saturday that targeted Terminal 3, killing 13 people and injuring over 300—the most lethal assault on Saudi soil in more than a decade. Subsequent attacks, including one on Sunday, resulted in one additional death and several injuries. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis blamed the militia for all the strikes.
The disruptions have led to more than 6,000 flight cancellations across Saudi airports since Thursday. Major international carriers, such as Lufthansa and Air India, suspended services to Riyadh in response to security concerns, with some yet to resume operations after halting flights earlier this year amid broader Middle East instability linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. On Monday, flight cancellations at Riyadh reached over 80%, while cancellations across Saudi airports averaged nearly 46%, according to aviation analytics firms.
The attacks have also extended beyond Riyadh. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, located in the oil-rich Eastern Province, was reportedly targeted by missile strikes, prompting damage assessments. Additionally, the southern city of Khamis Mushait, home to a major military base, was the site of intercepted missile threats.
In response to the ongoing assaults, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman adopted a defiant tone at the World Petroleum Congress held in Riyadh amid the crisis. He stressed the kingdom’s resilience and commitment to addressing the challenges, stating that “fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon,” and underscored the critical importance of energy security amid global oil prices rising above $105 per barrel. The conference, which attracted significant regional participation, saw a marked absence of several senior Western oil executives who withdrew due to security concerns.
Saudi Arabia’s military spokesperson indicated that further missile and drone threats to Riyadh remained ongoing, prompting advisories for residents, including schoolchildren and office workers, to work remotely where possible. The kingdom is conducting a review of its air defense capabilities following repeated Houthi missile incursions, which analysts say are difficult to fully counter given the kingdom’s vast geography despite substantial military investments.
The Houthi movement, which controls significant areas of Yemen including the capital Sana’a, asserted that their attacks are “guided by reciprocity” in response to Saudi military actions in Yemen. The group has vowed to continue targeting infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, including airports and oil facilities, as the conflict remains unresolved. Despite offers from Iran to mediate between Riyadh and the Houthis, talks have yet to yield a truce, with both sides maintaining hardline positions.
The ongoing violence has compounded pressures on Saudi Arabia, which is pursuing economic reforms aimed at diversification beyond oil exports. The conflict in Yemen, now intensified by the wider US-Iran tensions, shows no immediate signs of abating, and the regional security environment remains volatile. Observers note that while Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercept some projectiles, covering the entirety of the kingdom against missile and drone threats remains a significant challenge.