Flying to Riyadh Right Now Comes With a Long List of Asterisks

Air travel in the Gulf is a patchwork this week. A daily flight roundup from Gulf News on October 23 lists a long run of cancellations to Saudi Arabia from carriers including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, Air France, British Airways, KLM and ITA Airways, with some suspensions stretching well into winter.

The dates vary widely. Air France is listed as off Riyadh through November 7, British Airways through November 3, and ITA Airways through November 18. Cathay Pacific is listed through January 31, 2027, and Singapore Airlines has pushed back its planned Riyadh launch to March 28, 2027. The roundup itself notes conflicting dates for Etihad, a reminder to verify with the airline.

There are also signs of recovery on other routes. Lufthansa is listed as resuming flights from Munich and Frankfurt on October 25, SWISS from Zurich on October 27, Eurowings from Berlin, Stuttgart and Cologne-Bonn on November 1, and Austrian Airlines from Vienna on December 12.

Several governments have updated their Saudi Arabia travel advice, and Typhoon Champi added weather delays on Taiwan routes. If you hold a ticket in the region, check your airline’s waiver policy, confirm your booking status close to departure, and consider flexible fares until schedules settle.

Sources: Gulf News