Which airlines are flying to Riyadh? Latest schedules and cancellations
Airlines serving Riyadh have adjusted operations following Houthi claims of striking King Khalid International Airport on October 25, despite Saudi authorities announcing the resumption of flights. Flightradar24 data indicates that while a limited number of departures occurred on Monday, the majority of scheduled flights remained cancelled. Major UAE carriers, including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have either suspended services or delayed resumption dates into early November. In response, the national carrier Saudia and the new entrant Riyadh Air have rerouted many services to alternative airports, specifically Dammam and Al Qassim, located approximately 400 kilometers from the capital. These airlines are providing specific logistical support, such as bus transfers and hotel-based check-ins, to facilitate passenger movement to these secondary hubs. King Khalid International Airport has reopened two terminals for domestic and select international Saudi-operated flights, though overall service levels remain significantly below pre-crisis norms.
Travel to Riyadh remains heavily disrupted following claims by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that they launched another strike on King Khalid International Airport on October 25. This occurred just hours after Saudi authorities announced the partial reopening of the facility. Flightradar24 data indicated that a small number of flights departed the airport on Monday, though the majority of scheduled departures were cancelled. In response to the ongoing instability, the kingdom’s national carrier, Saudia, is operating select Riyadh-linked services through Dammam and Al Qassim, located approximately 400 kilometers northwest of the capital. Riyadh Air has similarly shifted several international routes to Al Qassim. Major carriers from the United Arab Emirates, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have maintained suspensions or cancellations on routes serving the Saudi capital. The disruption follows a series of violent incidents targeting the airport. Operations at King Khalid International Airport were suspended on October 10 after a deadly attack that killed 13 people and injured at least 300. A subsequent strike on October 11 claimed one additional life. The victims of the October 10 attack included four Saudi citizens and nine foreign residents: two Bangladeshis, one Indian, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian, and one Sudanese. The October 11 victim was identified as a Pakistani resident. Following these attacks, thousands of flights to the capital were cancelled. On October 25, the airport announced the reopening of two terminals. Terminal 1 is designated exclusively for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 handles international services operated by Saudi airlines. Authorities urged passengers with confirmed bookings to contact their airlines directly before traveling, as schedules remain volatile. Security concerns persist beyond the airport perimeter. Early on Sunday, October 25, warning sirens sounded in the Riyadh region. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence reported that falling debris from the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia injured two people and damaged three residential buildings and seven vehicles. The debris fell in the provinces of Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah. The Houthi spokesman warned airlines, airport staff, and travelers against using King Khalid International Airport, describing the site as unsafe and a continued military target. These attacks have shifted the focus of the wider conflict involving the US and Iran, which began in February, toward sustained assaults on Saudi infrastructure. Airlines have implemented varying strategies to manage the crisis. Saudia is routing some flights through Al Qassim and Dammam. Tickets sold for these itineraries include a bus transfer arranged by the airline between the alternate airports and Riyadh. Passengers are advised to verify their specific departure airport and bus arrangements through their booking records. Riyadh Air is operating only to and from Cairo, Dhaka, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Lahore, and Islamabad, all via Al Qassim. For passengers departing from Riyadh, check-in is available at the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh hotel, with a complimentary bus service taking approximately four and a half hours to reach Al Qassim. Check-in opens eight hours and 15 minutes before departure and closes six hours and 30 minutes prior to takeoff. Those driving themselves are advised to arrive at Al Qassim at least three hours before departure. International carriers have extended their suspensions significantly. Etihad Airways has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, as well as routes to Dammam and Jeddah, until November 5. Specific Jeddah services affected include EY601, EY602, EY603, and EY604. Emirates plans to resume flights between Dubai and Jeddah on October 30, with services to Riyadh and Dammam scheduled to restart on November 8. Emirates maintains regular operations to Medina. Flydubai has cancelled services to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha through October 29. From October 30, the carrier intends to operate two daily flights to Riyadh and four daily flights to Dammam, alongside one route to Abha. Air Arabia has suspended services between Sharjah and Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, and Taif, with no resumption date announced. Other regional and global carriers face similar delays. Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam, reducing its Jeddah service from seven daily flights to four. Oman Air and SalamAir have halted all flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 31. Air France has extended its suspension of Riyadh services until November 14. British Airways is scheduled to return with a limited service of one daily flight to Riyadh on November 3, having already discontinued its Jeddah route in April. Indian carriers Air India and Air India Express have suspended services to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until November 7. Akasa Air has suspended Riyadh flights until November 30 and Jeddah flights until November 10. Cathay Pacific has extended its suspension of Riyadh flights until January 31, 2027. Pakistan International Airlines has also announced a temporary suspension of flights to Riyadh. The travel chaos has impacted sporting events as well. The AFC Champions League Elite match between UAE’s Al Wasl and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, originally scheduled for Monday, October 26, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, has been postponed. The Asian Football Confederation stated that the new date and kickoff time would be confirmed in due course. Al Wasl declined to travel to Riyadh due to the lack of available flights and general travel difficulties. The AFC noted that the fixture could not proceed as scheduled under the current conditions. Local airlines have moved aircraft parked at King Khalid International Airport to other locations while the site remains a target for Houthi attacks. This logistical shift suggests that a full return to normal operations is not imminent. Most airlines have cancelled services for periods ranging from next week to next year. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status directly with their airline, confirm departure and arrival airports, and monitor booking updates for changes. Those utilizing airline-arranged bus transfers should verify meeting points and departure times, allowing ample time for the journey. Travelers with onward connections should inquire about alternative arrangements if their itinerary is affected by the disruption.
5 reports
The NationalParty-alignedCenterFactual 92Objective 95
Airlines serving Riyadh have adjusted operations following Houthi claims of striking King Khalid International Airport on October 25, despite Saudi authorities announcing the resumption of flights. Flightradar24 data indicates that while a limited number of departures occurred on Monday, the majority of scheduled flights remained cancelled. Major UAE carriers, including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have either suspended services or delayed resumption dates into early November. In response, the national carrier Saudia and the new entrant Riyadh Air have rerouted many services to alternative airports, specifically Dammam and Al Qassim, located approximately 400 kilometers from the capital. These airlines are providing specific logistical support, such as bus transfers and hotel-based check-ins, to facilitate passenger movement to these secondary hubs. King Khalid International Airport has reopened two terminals for domestic and select international Saudi-operated flights, though overall service levels remain significantly below pre-crisis norms.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses primarily on operational logistics, schedule changes, and passenger guidance rather than analyzing the geopolitical conflict itself. It presents factual information regarding airline decisions and airport status without employing loaded language or taking a stance on the military
Why factuality (92): Accurately reflects the cross-source consensus regarding specific airline suspension dates (e.g., Etihad until Nov 5, flydubai until Oct 29) and operational details like Saudia routing via Dammam/Al Qassim. No contradictions found with other sources.
Why objectivity (95): Highly objective and utilitarian tone. Presents facts neutrally without editorializing or emotional language.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has announced that international flights will resume operations from Terminal 2 starting October 25, while domestic services will utilize Terminal 1. This operational update follows severe disruptions caused by missile and drone attacks on October 10 and 11, which resulted in multiple casualties and forced the temporary suspension of airport activities. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for these strikes, leading to a significant cancellation of regional air traffic, including routes operated by UAE carriers such as Etihad and flydubai. Authorities coordinated with medical and security agencies to treat over 300 injured individuals and assess facility safety prior to the partial reopening. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines directly to confirm flight statuses before traveling.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the resumption of airport operations following a terrorist attack attributed to a non-state armed group. It cites official statements regarding terminal assignments and lists specific casualty figures and airline cancellations without employing emotionally l
Why factuality (90): Faithfully represents the airport terminal designation (T1 domestic, T2 international) and provides detailed historical context (Oct 10/11 attacks) that is consistent with the timeline implied by the current disruptions. Specific flight numbers listed for Emirates appear accurate based on standard s
Why objectivity (95): Dispassionate and factual. Reports the situation and past events without injecting opinion or biased language.
A football match between UAE club Al Wasl and Saudi club Al Nassr, originally scheduled for October 26 at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, has been postponed indefinitely due to severe travel disruptions. The delay follows the cancellation and delay of numerous commercial flights between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, affecting major carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, flynas, and Saudia. These operational issues stem from renewed security threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targeted Saudi airports and issued warnings that King Khalid International Airport remains a military target. Saudi Civil Defence reported that debris from intercepted ballistic missiles recently caused injuries and property damage in the provinces of Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah. Warning sirens were activated in the Riyadh region on October 25, prompting authorities to advise travelers to verify flight statuses before visiting airports.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses primarily on a sports event being postponed due to external logistical factors. While the underlying cause involves geopolitical conflict and military actions, the piece frames the story through the lens of aviation disruption and schedule changes rather than analyzing the war or
Why factuality (88): Correctly reports the match postponement and aligns with the consensus on flight disruptions. However, it introduces specific casualty figures (2 injured, 3 buildings damaged) not present in the other provided excerpts, making verification difficult within this limited context, though plausible give
Why objectivity (85): Generally neutral, but includes an 'Editor's Note' referencing a 'US-Iran war' which adds a broader geopolitical frame not strictly necessary for reporting the local event, slightly reducing pure neutrality compared to Article 0.
The NationalParty-alignedCenterFactual 85Objective 95
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has reopened after previous disruptions, but travel to the city remains affected by ongoing flight cancellations and diversions. Domestic flights operate to cities like Jeddah, Dammam, and Abha, though some Saudi-operated flights and international connections have been canceled. Flights from the UAE, including those operated by Air Arabia, Emirates, flydubai, and Etihad Airways, remain suspended. Some international services are still running, connecting Riyadh with countries such as Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Italy, and the UK. Certain flights are being diverted to alternate airports, such as Dammam and Jeddah. Passengers are advised to verify their flight status directly with their airline due to ongoing changes.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about flight operations, cancellations, and diversions at Riyadh's airport without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political entity or ideology. It focuses on logistical updates and does not frame the situation in a politically charged manner.
Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about which airlines are operating flights to and from Riyadh, citing Flightradar24 data and naming specific routes and cancellations. These details align with the cross-source consensus about ongoing disruptions despite the airport reopening. The information ap
Why objectivity (95): The article presents the situation in a neutral manner, focusing on facts like flight schedules, cancellations, and available services without taking sides or using emotionally charged language. It offers objective information to help travelers make informed decisions.
Airlines across the Middle East are extending flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia due to ongoing regional tensions and attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has partially reopened, with domestic flights operating out of Terminal 1 and international flights out of Terminal 2 starting October 25. Etihad Airways has canceled routes to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until November 5, while Emirates plans to resume service to Jeddah on October 30 and to Riyadh and Dammam on November 8. Flydubai has suspended flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha until October 29 before resuming limited daily services. Other carriers, including Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, and SalamAir, have implemented various suspension periods ranging from late October to early November, with some routes remaining indefinitely suspended.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses primarily on operational logistics, specific flight numbers, and corporate scheduling decisions made by private airlines in response to external security conditions. While the underlying cause involves geopolitical conflict, the reporting style is purely informational and factual
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