Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh will remain closed to commercial flights until at least 17 October after a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks that killed more than 20 people and injured hundreds.
The strikes, claimed by the Iran-backed group, marked the third consecutive day of assaults on the capital’s main aviation hub. Aviation authorities issued notices grounding both domestic and international operations while damage assessments continue.
Houthi officials warned the United States against joining any Saudi-led military response, threatening “swift and painful” retaliation against American interests in the region. President Donald Trump stated that Washington was weighing options after the latest attacks. Regional airlines have already cancelled dozens of flights and diverted aircraft to alternative hubs in Jeddah and Dammam.
The assaults have heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the Gulf and the wider implications for global oil shipping routes.
Saudi officials said air-defence systems intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles, yet several still caused casualties and structural damage near the airport perimeter. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the renewed fighting in Yemen appear to have stalled.
International carriers are monitoring the situation closely, with several European and Asian airlines suspending services to Riyadh until further notice. Analysts say the prolonged closure could disrupt pilgrimage traffic and commercial logistics in the coming weeks if the security environment does not improve.
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