Major international airlines are canceling flights to Saudi Arabia after a Houthi missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and injured over 300.
As of Tuesday, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Philippine Airlines, and Qatar Airways, as well as the airlines owned by Air France-KLM and the Lufthansa Group, have all suspended service to Riyadh. Most have paused flights until later this week or next week.
Cathay Pacific said it is postponing the resumption of flights to both Riyadh and Dubai through Jan. 31, 2027. Philippine Airlines suspended service to Riyadh earlier this month and said it will not restart the connection until Nov. 29.
Most of the airlines use Riyadh as their sole gateway to Saudi Arabia. Among the carriers that serve multiple destinations in the country, Air India and Gulf Air canceled flights only to Riyadh, while IndiGo and Qatar paused service to both Riyadh and Dammam. Etihad scrapped flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah until Oct. 19.
No U.S.-based airline currently flies nonstop to Saudi Arabia. Delta was set to change that, with service from Atlanta to Riyadh scheduled to launch Oct. 23, but on Monday the carrier said it will delay the connection until March 2027.
Last Saturday’s assault on King Khalid International is the deadliest and costliest foreign attack on Saudi soil in years. According to Reuters, the military’s public alert system was not active and did not warn the airport about the incoming projectile.
King Khalid International is closed until at least Oct. 17.