Major international airlines have cancelled and suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions and security concerns following attacks on airports in the kingdom.
Passengers travelling to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam have been advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport, as airlines continue to adjust schedules and issue travel advisories.
The disruption follows deadly attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which reportedly killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, forcing authorities to suspend airport operations while safety checks were carried out.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport until further notice to allow authorities to assess the safety of airport facilities and their operational readiness.
Qatar Airways suspends flights to Riyadh and Dammam
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam amid the ongoing regional tensions.
In a travel advisory updated on October 12, the airline said it was closely monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia in coordination with relevant authorities.
Passengers affected by the suspension will be contacted directly, while travellers have been urged to check their booking details and flight status through the airline’s official website or mobile application.
Etihad cancels Saudi Arabia flights
Etihad Airways has cancelled multiple flights between Abu Dhabi and the Saudi cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam due to continuing regional disruption.
According to the airline’s travel updates, flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have been cancelled until Monday, October 19.
Services between Abu Dhabi and Dammam have also faced significant disruption, with selected flights cancelled on Monday and all scheduled flights suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Some Abu Dhabi-Jeddah services have also been affected, with further changes possible as the situation develops.
Etihad has advised passengers to monitor its official channels for the latest information before travelling.
Gulf Air suspends Riyadh flights
Bahrain’s Gulf Air has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh from October 12 to October 17, according to the airline’s announcement.
The suspension adds to growing disruption across regional aviation as carriers reassess their operations amid security concerns.
Other airlines affected by Saudi Arabia flight cancellations
Several other international airlines have announced cancellations, suspensions or schedule changes affecting Saudi Arabia.
These include:
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Lufthansa Group: Flights to Riyadh suspended until October 16.
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Air France-KLM: Services to Riyadh suspended until the end of October.
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flydubai: Flights to and from Riyadh cancelled through October 14.
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SriLankan Airlines: Riyadh services suspended until October 18.
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Emirates: Selected services involving Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam affected by cancellations and schedule changes.
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Air Arabia: Cancellations and schedule changes affecting Saudi routes.
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Kuwait Airways: Riyadh flights cancelled amid the airport disruption.
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EgyptAir: Flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh suspended until airport operations resume.
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Delta Air Lines: The planned launch of its Atlanta-Riyadh service has been postponed from October 23 to March 2027.
Passengers should confirm the latest status directly with their airline, as cancellation periods and affected routes may change.
Are Saudi Arabia’s airports open?
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been the main focus of the disruption following the reported attacks and subsequent safety checks.
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport have continued operating, although flights have also experienced delays, cancellations and other schedule changes.
Some aircraft have reportedly been diverted to alternative airports as airlines respond to the disruption.
Passengers should not assume that a flight is operating normally simply because their departure or arrival airport remains open.
Travel advisory for passengers heading to Saudi Arabia
Travellers planning to fly to Saudi Arabia should take the following precautions:
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Check flight status: Use the airline’s official website or mobile application before travelling to the airport.
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Confirm cancellations: Contact the airline or travel agent if a flight has been cancelled or rescheduled.
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Check rebooking options: Ask about alternative flights, refunds or changes to travel dates under the airline’s applicable policy.
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Monitor airport updates: Check official airport announcements for changes to operations.
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Review travel advice: Follow the latest security guidance issued by relevant authorities in your country.
The situation remains fluid, and further cancellations or delays are possible as airlines monitor regional developments.
Are flights to Saudi Arabia cancelled?
Yes. Several airlines have suspended or cancelled selected services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. The impact varies by airline and route, so passengers should check their specific flight.
Is Riyadh airport open?
Saudi aviation authorities have extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport until further notice, according to the information provided. Travellers should check the latest official airport and airline announcements before departure.
What should passengers do if their Saudi Arabia flight is cancelled?
Passengers should contact their airline or travel agent to confirm rebooking, refund or alternative travel arrangements. They should also verify their updated itinerary before travelling to the airport.
