The incident came two days after three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, were killed in what has become a new front in the expanding Iran war. Several people were wounded when King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, was struck by a missile on Saturday.
Flights bound for Riyadh were being diverted to other destinations nearly four hours after the last flight landed at 2:05 pm local time, according to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24. At least 225 flights at King Khalid International Airport had been cancelled over the preceding 24 hours, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. Air India Express has cancelled its services until October 14, while Air India has extended the cancellations until October 15. Both airlines had earlier announced on Thursday that flights to and from Riyadh would remain cancelled until October 10. The Future Investment Initiative, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the kingdom’s flagship investment conference a decade ago, would also proceed as planned from October 26-29. (With agency inputs) You use AI every day.
King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times over the past week, since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. Organisers of two major Saudi energy and investment conferences have confirmed that the events will proceed as scheduled this month despite earlier missile attacks on Riyadh airport.
Air traffic at Riyadh airport had been suspended, according to an airport official. Kuwait Airways announced the cancellation of flights to and from the Saudi capital, citing the closure of Riyadh airport due to the “security situation”. The US Embassy in Riyadh said it was aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport and urged American citizens in the Saudi capital to avoid the airport and surrounding areas. The UK Embassy also advised British nationals to stay away from the airport area following what it described as a “serious incident”.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing a lack of authorisation to speak to the media. Following the attack, operations at the airport were temporarily suspended and travellers were evacuated, while dozens of ambulances were seen rushing to the site. This came after the airport issued a brief alert urging passengers to check their flight status with airlines before heading there. Meanwhile, Air India Express and Air India have extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh amid the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia. Amid widespread flight disruptions and travel advisories from the UK, France and Germany, organisers of the World Petroleum Congress, scheduled from Sunday to Thursday, assured delegates of their safety and suggested alternative routes to Riyadh, including a four-hour drive from Dammam. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, including one on Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national.