Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published • loading... • Updated

Saudi airport closure disrupts life in kingdom's capital

Saudi authorities said the airport will stay shut after 20 Houthi attacks in October, forcing airlines, offices and major events to adjust.

  • Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remains closed indefinitely following persistent Houthi attacks, with authorities restricting all landings and departures via a Notice to Airmen advisory.
  • Hostilities between Saudi-led forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensified earlier this month when the kingdom launched a full-scale military campaign, with barrages targeting airports and energy infrastructure across the region.
  • International carriers including Air India and Qatar Airways have suspended operations to the capital, forcing Riyadh's seven million residents to seek alternative routes via Bahrain or Qassim airport three hours away.
  • On Monday, Saudi officials postponed the Future Investment Initiative, dubbed 'Davos in the desert,' until 2027, while government agencies and the 99-storey Kingdom Centre directed employees to work remotely.
  • Persistent missile attacks complicate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's economic transformation drive, as author Karen Elliott House wrote, 'Few want to visit a country under persistent deadly missile attacks.
Insights by Ground AI

22 Articles

Lean Left

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels said they had carried out several attacks on energy facilities, airports and military sites in Saudi Arabia. The targets included an Aramco facility in the port city of Yanbu. The group also said it had attacked the Shaybah oil field, Riyadh International Airport and Abha International Airport, as well as military sites. The statement came amid ongoing tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Yemeni g…

Right

The Yemeni movement Ansar Allah reported further attacks on Saudi airports, oil infrastructure and military installations, as reported by the military representative of the Yahya Sari movement. According to Sari, the attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha Airport,

Lean Right

Ansar Allah (Hushita) carried out a series of attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia, including the Saudi Aramco oil company's facilities, stated the representative of the Husite Yahya Sari. "The first of our operations was directed against Saudi Aramco in Yanbu al-Baqra, the two phases of the attacks were accurate, and they caused a large fire at the attacked sites," he said.

France24France24
Reposted by
Radio France InternationaleRadio France Internationale
Center

Saudi airport closure disrupts life in kingdom's capital

·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

The Times of Middle East broke the news on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal