Writer Thomas | by AfterPost | 18 October 2026
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remains closed as of Sunday Oct 18, 2026, despite a closure NOTAM expiring at 21:00 GMT Oct 17. Saudi authorities extended the suspension for safety checks after a deadly Houthi missile strike on Oct 10 killed 13 and injured 309, with a new air raid warning Saturday evening delaying planned reopening.
GACA says operations suspended to "allow for completion of procedures to ensure safety and operational readiness." No new reopening date announced. Time Out Riyadh confirmed closure continues 10am Sunday.
The attack sequence is unprecedented. On Oct 8, a strike killed Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami and damaged an Airbus. On Oct 10, ballistic missile hit Terminals 3-4 domestic complex at busy departure time. CCTV shows pilgrims in Ihram at gate before orange flash and roof collapse. Victims: 4 Saudis, 2 Bangladeshis, 1 each US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, India. 5 in ICU. On Oct 11, another projectile hit Terminal 4, killing 1 Pakistani national, injuring 11. In total 18 dead in one week.
Flights chaos:
More than 4,000 departures cancelled Oct 8-15. On Oct 15 alone, 552 of 1,178 Saudi flights affected, 46%. Riyadh worst: 298 of 366 flights cancelled, 81.4%. At least two aircraft diverted to Medina and Qassim yesterday. Airlines avoiding: Etihad cancelled Abu Dhabi-Riyadh till Oct 18, flydubai Riyadh Dammam Abha till Oct 19, Air India Riyadh Jeddah Dammam till Oct 20, IndiGo and Akasa Air till Oct 24, Air France-KLM till end Oct, Philippine Airlines till Nov 29, Delta delayed Atlanta-Riyadh to March 2027.
Houthis promise more:
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed attack in three phases, said it disrupted air traffic and forced closure. Group says it carried out 4 operations in 24 hours: 3-phase attack on Riyadh, Shuqdam gas facility, Aramco Tanajib oil facility, King Fahd Airport Dammam. Warning to airlines: Saudi airports unsafe, do not use. Claims retaliation for 124 Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in past 24 hours.
Governments react:
US Embassy: avoid King Khalid airport and surroundings, US government employees need Chief of Mission authorization to use any Saudi airport. UK FCDO: avoid all but essential travel to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, stay away from King Khalid airport. Philippines, India embassies: reconsider travel, nationals injured, 7 Indians injured 2 ICU. Indian carriers suspended. Indian Embassy suggests flying via Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar with visas.
Travelers stuck should check airlines, consider SAR train and SAT bus for domestic and GCC routes. Jeddah and Dammam operational with delays.
FAQ
Is Riyadh airport open today Oct 18?
No. King Khalid International remains closed as of 10am Sunday. GACA has not given reopening date. All flights cancelled or diverted.What happened on Oct 10 at Riyadh airport?
Houthi ballistic missile hit Terminal 3-4 domestic area, killing 13 and injuring 309. Deadliest airport attack in Saudi in over decade.Who did it and why?
Houthis claimed responsibility, saying retaliation for Saudi air campaign in Yemen. Saudi coalition called it war crime, vows response. Trump said US may join response.When will Riyadh airport reopen?
NOTAM expired 21:00 GMT Oct 17 but GACA extended indefinitely for safety verification. Air raid warning Oct 17 evening delayed plan. No official date.Are flights to Saudi safe now?
Jeddah and Dammam open with delays. Riyadh closed. US, UK, Ireland, Australia warn of very high risk of further attacks on Saudi airports. Check airline status, avoid filming military ops.Also read this: https://afterpostint.com/post/h2-strong-super-typhoon-champi-pinhole-eye-misses-guam-by-10-miles-strong-h2