Major airlines have halted flights to Riyadh after attacks on King Khalid International Airport and a security closure of the airport. Qatar Airways said on Monday that it had temporarily suspended services to and from Riyadh and Dammam because of the “current situation,” as Yemen’s Houthi group intensifies attacks on the kingdom. Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed across Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the regulator that oversees airports and airlines, has extended the airport’s closure by another 24 hours because of security concerns. A new Notice to Airmen, a formal alert sent to pilots and airlines, says King Khalid International Airport will remain closed until midnight on Monday. Authorities said the extra time was needed to inspect the airport’s radar and communication systems.
Airlines extending suspensions
Major carriers have paused Riyadh flights for different periods. Lufthansa Group has extended its suspension until October 16, and SriLankan Airlines until October 18. Akasa Air’s pause runs until October 13. Air India and Air India Express have suspended services until October 15.
Etihad Airways, flydubai, Emirates, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are also among the airlines affected. Qatar Airways’ suspension covers both Riyadh and Dammam.
Pakistan routes and other Saudi cities
Travel between Pakistan and Riyadh has been severely affected. On Sunday, PIA flight PK-753 from Islamabad to Riyadh was diverted to Dammam. The same day, 28 flights from airports across Pakistan were canceled.
Aviation sources said another 32 Riyadh-bound flights from Pakistani airports were canceled on Monday, though that figure is not in an official notice. The accounts so far cite attacks on King Khalid International Airport, a security closure until midnight Monday, and checks on radar and communication systems. The closure also disrupted Jeddah and Madinah, and Dammam, where flying resumed after a six-hour stop. Qatar Airways’ temporary suspension of Dammam flights was still the latest update from that carrier.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Sunday: PIA flight PK-753 from Islamabad to Riyadh was diverted to Dammam, and 28 flights from airports across Pakistan were canceled.
- Monday: Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam, citing the “current situation,” as Yemen’s Houthi group intensifies attacks on the kingdom.
- Monday: The General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the King Khalid International Airport closure by 24 hours, until midnight, to inspect radar and communication systems.
- Monday: Aviation sources said 32 further Riyadh-bound flights from Pakistani airports were canceled. Dammam resumed after a six-hour suspension, while Jeddah and Madinah were also disrupted.
- October 13 to October 18: Akasa Air’s Riyadh suspension runs until October 13, Air India and Air India Express until October 15, Lufthansa Group until October 16, and SriLankan Airlines until October 18.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Riyadh ka bara airport hamlon ke baad security ki wajah se mazeed 24 ghantay band rakha gaya. Qatar Airways ne Riyadh aur Dammam ki flights kuch waqt ke liye rok di hain. Pakistan se Itwar ko 28 flights cancel huin, aur PIA ki Islamabad se Riyadh wali flight Dammam divert ho gayi. Apni airline se naya flight time zaroor confirm kar lain, kyun ke har company ka dobara udaan ka din alag hai.
