Riyadh Airport Closure Extended Until 17 October After Houthi Attacks

Saudi authorities have extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until Saturday. The decision follows a series of continuing attacks by the Houthi group.

Reuters reported on Tuesday (13 October 2026) that King Khalid Airport would remain closed until Saturday (17 October). Several airlines have also cancelled flights because of the Houthi attacks.

“Operations have been temporarily suspended to allow the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport facilities,” the Saudi civil aviation authority said in a statement.

On Monday night (12 October), the Houthis said they had attacked the airport with a ballistic missile, shortly after Saudi Arabia announced that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the group towards Riyadh.

The Houthis also said in a statement that they had targeted an air base in Khamis Mushait, in western Saudi Arabia, using drones. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities.

A notice to airmen issued on Monday indicated that King Khalid International Airport would remain closed until 21:00 GMT on 17 October.

The airport has been closed since Saturday’s attack, which killed 13 people and injured more than 300. A further attack on Sunday (11 October) killed one person and injured nearly a dozen others.