Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport Clears Saudi Skies
The King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh canceled 99.7% of flights on Sunday following Houthi attacks. On Monday, about 60% of scheduled flights are expected to be canceled, leaving the skies over Saudi Arabia's capital almost empty.
The skies over Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh were virtually empty on Monday after deadly attacks by the Houthis, Yemen's group aligned with Iran, against the city's airport. King Khalid International Airport — Saudi Arabia’s second busiest airport after Jeddah — canceled 99.7% of all scheduled flights on Sunday, according to Cirium data. The massive disruption reflects the immediate impact of the attack on airport infrastructure and the caution of airlines.
The attack on Riyadh airport left 12 dead and more than 300 injured, according to initial reports. Smoke and flames rose from the site after the Iranian-backed Houthis claimed to have attacked the airport on Oct. 8, 2026, according to a screenshot taken from a social media video. The severity of the incident led to an immediate response from aviation authorities and international airlines.
Mass cancellations and empty sky
On Monday, about 60 percent of scheduled flights are expected to be cancelled, according to aviation analyst firm Cirium. It was expected that more than a third of scheduled flights across the kingdom would not operate, while the flight tracking website FlightRadar24 estimated the rate of cancellations at Riyadh airport at about 78 percent. The difference between the estimates reflects the volatility of the situation and the rapid evolution of operational constraints.
The airport in the Saudi capital remained closed on Sunday after an attack left one dead and nearly a dozen injured. The bombing came after another attack claimed by the Houthis the day before, which left 13 dead and more than 300 injured. The sequence of attacks raised the alert level across the country’s civil aviation sector.
Regional and international impact
The attacks marked one of the most significant disruptions in Saudi civil aviation in years, forcing airlines across Europe and Asia to suspend their operations. The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday instructed U.S. airlines to be cautious when flying to Saudi Arabia or over its territory. The recommendation reflects concerns about the safety of airspace in the region.
The Lufthansa Group has cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 16, while Air France-KLM has extended a prior suspension of flights to and from the Saudi capital until the end of the month. The decisions of the main European airlines indicate a prolonged risk assessment, with possible impacts on the air connectivity of the kingdom in the coming weeks.
Repercussions and next steps
The situation in Riyadh remains smooth, with the Saudi authorities still assessing the damage and the security measures necessary for the resumption of operations. The international community is closely monitoring the unfolding as the Houthis continue to claim attacks on strategic targets in Saudi Arabia. The source did not detail the schedule for the airport’s full reopening.
For readers of the Boca no Trombone, the episode reinforces the importance of monitoring travel alerts and safety guidelines for the Oriente Médio region. Follow the updates on our portal for more information on the global impact of the attacks and the responses of the airlines.
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