Several international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia because airspace closures linked to the Iran and US-Israel conflict are disrupting travel in the region.
Airlines say the changes are linked to the current regional situation, which has affected flight routes across the Gulf.
Some carriers have paused services entirely, while others are operating only limited flights.
Travellers have been advised to check their flight status before going to the airport.
Riyadh airport remains open
Despite the disruptions, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remains open.
Airport authorities said some flights may be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled.
Passengers can check the status of their flights through the airport’s official information services.
To assist travellers, the airport has set up an “Ask Me” service at all terminals.
Staff are available around the clock to provide updates and help passengers with travel questions.
The airport is also offering short-term and long-term luggage storage for up to 15 days at its Lost and Found and baggage offices.
Several airlines suspend services
A number of airlines have adjusted their schedules or cancelled flights temporarily.
Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia has partially resumed flights between Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
However, flights to several nearby destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait, have been suspended for the time being.
Other cancellations affect longer routes as well. Some flights to Moscow and Peshawar have also been paused until further notice.
Low-cost airline Flynas said flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Iraq, Sharjah and Syria will remain suspended while airspace restrictions remain in place.
Another Saudi carrier, Flyadeal, has cancelled flights to Amman and Damascus until mid-March, while services to Peshawar will remain suspended slightly longer.
International airlines also affected
Several international airlines have taken similar steps.
European airlines
European carriers, including Air France, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, and Aegean Airlines, have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh for limited periods.
Asian airlines
Cathay Pacific has suspended flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh until the end of March, while Philippine Airlines has paused services between Riyadh and Manila for several days.
Air China, Malaysia Airlines
Air China has resumed flights between Riyadh and Beijing, while Malaysia Airlines says services to Jeddah and Madinah are operating normally again.
Indian Airlines
Air India and Air India Express have restarted several flights to Jeddah, while IndiGo temporarily cancelled some services to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has said that its scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended, but the airline expects to resume limited services in the coming days.
Passengers have been asked not to travel to the airport unless they receive an official notification from the airline confirming their flight.
Qatar Airways said it will contact affected passengers directly with updated flight details and travel arrangements.
The airline also advised travellers to make sure their contact information is updated in their booking so they can receive the latest updates.
Passengers can update their details through the Qatar Airways website or the airline’s mobile app.
Srilankan Airlines
Sri Lanka’s national carrier has announced that daily flights to and from Riyadh will be operated normally once again.
Steps taken by Saudi airports
Saudi Arabia has announced measures to support travellers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who are unable to continue their journeys due to the current regional situation.
GCC citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE who are stranded can stay at Saudi airports until travel routes reopen.
The decision was approved by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud after a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Authorities have also arranged free accommodation at several hotels across the country for affected travellers.
These include Aber City Centre Hotel, Boudl Abha, Boudl Al-Wurood, Boudl Buraydah, Braira Al Dammam Hotel and Narcissus The Royal Hotel.
In addition, the Makkah Chamber of Commerce has set aside around 2,500 fully serviced hotel rooms for GCC citizens who need temporary accommodation.
Hotline for assistance
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has also set up a special hotline to assist GCC travellers who are stranded in the country.
They can contact 992, the unified number for the General Directorate of Passports.
Other important emergency numbers in Saudi Arabia include:
911: General emergency
933: Electricity
939: Water
966: Natural disaster
994: Border guard
996: Highway patrol
997: Ambulance/Red Crescent
998: Fire/Civil defence
999: Police
9200 000 560: Traffic accidents (Najm)
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