Loud blast heard at Riyadh airport as airlines cancel more flights

A powerful explosion shook King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, prompting airlines to cancel numerous flights. Eyewitnesses and informed sources reported the blast, which occurred amid a surge in missile attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels, who align with Iran. The Saudi government's media office and the civil aviation authority have not yet commented on the incident.

In response to the attack, King Khalid Airport advised passengers to verify their flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport. Both Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways suspended multiple flights between their bases and Riyadh, with some cancellations extending into Monday. The blast came in the wake of attacks on Riyadh airport earlier in the week, which resulted in four fatalities, several injuries, damage to a Saudi Airways aircraft, and smoke billowing over the facility.

These strikes compelled several carriers to either suspend or cancel services to the Saudi capital, occurring just prior to Riyadh's scheduled hosting of significant energy and investment conferences.