Riyadh Reopened, but the Airlines Aren’t Coming Back Yet

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened on October 18 after being shut for more than a week, yet the reopening has done little to restore normal air service. Arrivals and departures still need advance permission from Saudi aviation authorities, and dozens of international routes remain suspended. For travelers holding tickets to the kingdom, the practical situation is that the runway works but the schedule does not.

The picture worsened on October 21, when a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed two people and injured eight amid continuing missile and drone attacks. Airports in Abha, Jazan and Najran have also been affected, while Jeddah and Medina keep some services running. The UK Foreign Office has warned that further attacks and cancellations are very likely, and the United States, Australia and Canada advise caution or against travel.

Airline responses vary widely. Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air France, Air India and IndiGo have cancelled flights until at least October 24, while KLM has paused Riyadh until the end of the month. Lufthansa is out of Riyadh until November 18 and Dammam until November 30. British Airways plans a limited return on November 3, and Cathay Pacific has suspended Riyadh through January 31, 2027. Gulf Air says its flights after October 18 are operating as scheduled.

Passengers should expect refunds or rebooking rather than cash compensation, because disruptions caused by armed conflict are treated as extraordinary circumstances. Ask the airline for written confirmation of the cancellation, keep receipts for meals and hotels, and avoid signing waivers. Check both your carrier and your government’s travel advice before heading to any airport in the region, since suspension dates have been extended more than once.

Sources: AirHelp, AirHelp (Riyadh reopening)