Riyadh Airport Blast: Passengers Evacuated as Airlines Cancel Flights After Fresh Attack
More than a dozen ambulances rushed to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday after a loud blast was heard at the facility, while travelers were evacuated from parts of the airport, according to an eyewitness and people briefed on the matter. Airlines diverted or cancelled flights as the reported incident disrupted operations at the Saudi capital’s main airport.
The reported blast came after two attacks on the airport earlier in the week that left four people dead, and others wounded and badly damaged an aircraft. If confirmed, Saturday’s incident would mark the third reported strike on the facility in five days, amid an escalating Houthi campaign targeting Saudi infrastructure.
Flights Halted as Airlines Cancel Riyadh Services
Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed flights to Riyadh being diverted or cancelled, with only a helicopter hovering over the airport at one point. The airport urged passengers to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before traveling to the facility. At least 225 flights at the airport had been cancelled over the preceding 24 hours, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways cancelled multiple flights between their respective hubs and Riyadh, with some cancellations extending into Monday. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among the carriers suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports.
Thursday’s Attack Killed Pilot and Damaged Saudia Aircraft
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said two missile attacks on Thursday struck the airport and a Saudia Airlines aircraft, resulting in the deaths of three citizens. The national flag carrier confirmed the death of the plane’s captain, Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, expressing “profound sadness” and “heartfelt condolences,” and stating it honoured “his memory with deep respect and appreciation.”
Earlier in the week, a separate airport attack killed one person and wounded eight, according to reports. Two more people were killed, and 28 wounded in a simultaneous strike on Abha International Airport, Saudi civil aviation authorities said.
Houthis Warn Airlines to Leave Saudi Airspace
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Oct. 6 that the group had conducted three operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones targeting two airports, an oil facility and military sites across Saudi Arabia. Saree warned international airlines using Saudi airspace against continuing their flights, saying the airspace was now within the group’s area of operations, except over Mecca and Medina.
On Thursday, Saree warned airlines “for the last time” not to continue their flights in Saudi airspace, calling it a “theater” for Houthi military operations. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki declared that all Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian facilities “will be met with resolve” by the coalition.
Riyadh is due to host major energy and investment conferences as airlines suspend or cancel services to the Saudi capital following the reported attacks. Organizers of the conferences said on Saturday that the events would proceed as planned and sought to reassure attendees about security.
