Saudi aviation regulator confirms attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports killed three people
Flights to and from Riyadh remain disrupted after the ballistic missile attacks, for which Yemen-based Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed that three people were killed and more than 30 have been injured following attacks on Riyadh King Khalid International and Abha airports in recent days.
The two separate attacks on 6 and 7 October resulted in two fatalities and 28 injuries at Abha airport, and one death plus eight injuries at Riyadh airport, says GACA in an 8 October post on social media platform X.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks, with their military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree writing on X: “Our armed forces have succeeded in targeting King Khalid airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile, which struck its target with precision and caused the disruption of airport operations.”
The group has reiterated its warning “for the last time to all global airlines” to avoid Saudi Arabian airspace due to the risk of further attacks.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has not advised a complete avoidance of Saudi airspace, but states that the Houthis have “significantly increased the frequency and geographic scope of attacks” on the country, with recent attacks having “demonstrated the ability and intent of the Houthis to strike targets deeper inside Saudi territory, including in the Riyadh, Tabuk and Yanbu areas”.
GACA says it is “working in co-operation with the relevant authorities to assess the damage, verify the safety of the facilities and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers, and maintain the security and safety of operations within the Kingdom’s civil aviation system”.
Flightradar24 data shows a number of flight delays and cancellations at Riyadh airport on 8 October. Cancellations include flights operated by Saudia, Flyadeal, Flynas, Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air, Gulf Air, Air India and Egyptair.
Many airlines from outside the Middle East had already suspended flights to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the USA and Israel’s attacks on Iran in late February.
KLM said last month that it planned to reinstate flights to Riyadh and Dammam at the start of the winter season. The carrier tells FlightGlobal that “for the time being, we plan to resume our services to Riyadh as of October 25”. However, it adds: “We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and take action if necessary.”
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