Riyadh Airport Suspension Disrupts Global Flights

Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were temporarily suspended on October 10, 2026, as aviation authorities carried out damage assessments and safety inspections. The halt led to widespread disruption, with at least 291 flights canceled within a 24-hour period and inbound services diverted while the airport remained closed.

Several international carriers adjusted their Riyadh schedules in response. Lufthansa Group suspended its Riyadh flights through October 16, while flydubai canceled all its Riyadh services through October 14. SriLankan Airlines suspended flights to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations through October 18.

Indian carriers were also affected: Air India suspended Riyadh services through October 11, with a Delhi–Riyadh flight returning to Delhi before being canceled. Akasa Air suspended its Riyadh services through October 13, and IndiGo canceled Riyadh flights through October 9. Kuwait Airways canceled flights KU775 and KU776 between Kuwait and Riyadh on October 10.

Etihad Airways canceled or altered selected flights involving Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam through October 13, while Emirates, Air Arabia, and Qatar Airways canceled or suspended selected Riyadh services. EgyptAir suspended its Cairo–Riyadh and Alexandria–Riyadh services until operations resume, offering affected passengers a full refund without fees or a change to another eligible Saudi destination at no extra charge.

The disruption affects residents, travelers, and families across the Kingdom, particularly those with connections to Riyadh. No government fee, visa fee, residency fee, or validity-period change was linked to the suspension. Passengers are advised to confirm flight status and check rebooking or refund eligibility directly with their operating airline and the relevant civil-aviation authorities before heading to the airport.

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