Riyadh Airport Reopens to Limited Domestic Flights Following Attacks

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened for limited domestic flights on October 21st, 2026, after multiple Houthi strikes forced the airport to shut down earlier this month. Airlines were allowed to resume operations with prior permission, with Saudia and FlyNas among those operating flights during the partial restart.

The airport had been closed since October 10th following repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Flight-tracking data showed only a limited number of arrivals and departures on the first day of resumed operations, while major international carriers including Lufthansa and Air France have cancelled Riyadh services through mid-November. No date has been announced for a full return to regular international schedules.

The Houthis have acknowledged targeting King Khalid International Airport and have claimed, without providing evidence, that the facility was being used to transport military equipment. Saudi authorities have faced a wider series of attacks on aviation and other infrastructure in recent weeks.

On the same day as the Riyadh reopening, an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed one Saudi resident and injured eight others. Flights were diverted following the incident, while authorities had not identified the perpetrator at the time of reporting.