Riyadh's King Khalid Airport reopens amid fresh Houthi missile attacks
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resumed limited flights on Sunday after a two-week shutdown caused by Houthi strikes, even as new explosions rattled the capital.
The airport listed several domestic and international arrivals, including from Dubai, Paris and Cairo, but most scheduled services remain cancelled. The restart came after residents received alerts about a hostile aerial threat and several explosions were heard in Riyadh early Sunday. Saudi air defenses reported intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles launched by the Yemen-based Houthi militia, which continues to label the airport a military target.
Why it matters
The reopening shows Saudi Arabia's effort to restore air travel despite ongoing Houthi missile threats to the capital.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report the airport’s reopening amid Houthi attacks, but left-leaning sources stress the Iran-backed nature of the rebels and regional humanitarian impact, centrist sources highlight the ongoing explosions and travel advisories, while right-leaning sources foreground the Houthis’ warning that the airport remains a legitimate military target.
LEFT
Reopening despite deadly, Iran-backed Houthi strikes, underscoring the broader regional conflict.
CENTER
Airport reopens amid fresh missile attacks and security alerts, with travel warnings issued.
RIGHT
Reopening contested as Houthis label the airport a legitimate military target and warn travelers.
The left emphasises
- deadly strikes from Yemen's Houthis
- Iran-backed group
- humanitarian disaster
The right emphasises
- Houthis warn travelers the airport is a military target
- explosions heard as airport prepares to reopen
- intercepted missiles and drones
How this story developed
- Oct 11 Projectile strikes Riyadh airport amid Houthi attacks ahead of major energy conferences
- Oct 12 The Omani embassy thanked Saudi authorities for the medical care provided to an injured Omani doctor.
- 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 13 IndiGo and Akasa Air have prolonged the cancellation of flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17 because of heightened security threats in the region.
- Oct 15 Air India joins IndiGo and Akasa Air in suspending Saudi flights.
- Oct 18 Airlines have extended their flight suspensions to October 17.
- Oct 21 The Houthi movement said it did not fire drones at Medina or carry out any military action against Saudi Arabia, countering coalition reports.
- Oct 24 Houthis launched a missile and drone strike on a Saudi‑led coalition base at Al Mukalla airport.
- Oct 25 Saudi forces reported shooting down a drone over the Riyadh area and intercepting ballistic missiles, while Yemen’s Saudi‑backed government said three missiles hit Aden coast‑guard sites.
- Oct 25 Indian airlines announced further extensions of their Saudi flight bans.
In this story
Related stories
14 in this thread