Riyadh’s Airport Is Open Again, but Most Foreign Airlines Are Not Back

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport closed earlier this month and partially reopened on 25 October, with Terminal 1 handling domestic flights and Terminal 2 international ones. Reopening a runway, however, has not brought the airlines back. The National attributes the suspensions to continuing regional tension and attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and Gulf News reports that the airport is operating on a limited schedule.

The restart dates vary widely. Etihad has cancelled Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until 5 November, and Emirates plans to return to Riyadh and Dammam on 8 November. Air France has extended its Riyadh suspension through 14 November, Lufthansa through 18 November for Riyadh and 30 November for Dammam, and KLM through 27 November. Air India and Air India Express are out until 7 November.

Some carriers are staying away far longer. Philippine Airlines has suspended Riyadh until 29 November, and Scoot’s Singapore–Jeddah flights are off until 2 December. Cathay Pacific has pulled its Riyadh service until 31 January 2027. Delta has postponed its planned Atlanta–Riyadh launch to March 2027, while British Airways intends to resume one daily Riyadh flight from 3 November.

Saudi carriers continue to fly from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, and flynas is operating India-bound services from Riyadh. Anyone booked to or through Saudi Arabia should confirm the flight directly with the airline, since dates keep moving, and ask about rebooking or refunds before changing plans. Australia’s Smartraveller service also advises against travel to Saudi Arabia.

Sources: The National, Gulf News