Riyadh airport shut after repeated Houthi missile strikes, halting flights and major events
Repeated Houthi missile attacks have forced the closure of Riyadh's airport, disrupting flights, postponing high-profile events and prompting remote-work orders for government staff.
A wave of missile attacks by Yemen's Houthis has compelled Saudi authorities to shut Riyadh's main airport indefinitely, halting all commercial flights. Airlines are redirecting travelers to alternative hubs in Bahrain, Qatar and the nearby Qassim airport, while some passengers have been forced to land in Jeddah before continuing onward. The closure has triggered the postponement of several high-profile events, including the Future Investment Initiative investment forum, a star-studded tennis tournament, and cultural festivals such as MDLBEAST Soundstorm.
Government ministries have ordered staff to work remotely, and the International Monetary Fund's regional office in the Kingdom Centre has also moved to home-based operations. Aviation specialist Captain Desmond Ross warned that attacks on airports represent a distinct threat compared with other targets. Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki demanded an immediate end to the Houthi operations, while Human Resources Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi appealed for safety and divine protection.
Why it matters
The shutdown undermines Saudi Arabia's drive to attract foreign investment and disrupts daily life for millions of residents.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Yemeni government troops capture key positions on Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Oct 12 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 12 Saudi officials announced the continued closure of King Khalid International Airport pending safety inspections.
- Oct 12 Saudi authorities have extended the shutdown of King Khalid International Airport until Saturday after renewed Houthi missile and drone strikes, prompting airlines to cancel flights to and from Riyadh.
- Oct 12 Airport shutdown extended to Oct 17 for safety checks.
- Oct 13 Delta postponed its inaugural Atlanta‑Riyadh flight.
- Oct 13 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported hitting a supertanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 13 Saudi civil defence alerts stopped operating before the attacks, leaving no public warnings.
- Oct 13 A missile hit the administrative building of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, causing a minor blaze but no injuries.
- Oct 14 The coalition struck Sanaa’s al‑Suhaba fuel facility and warned nearby residents to evacuate.
- Oct 15 Saudi‑led coalition launched air strikes on Houthi positions in Sanaa, breaking the 2022 ceasefire
- Oct 16 Missiles hit Aden airport and a ballistic missile targeting Yanbu was intercepted.
- Oct 17 President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested and called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize such action.
- Oct 18 Egyptian parliament scheduled an emergency plenary meeting to consider a defence mandate for Saudi Arabia.
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