Riyadh airport to remain shut until Oct 17 after deadly Houthi attacks

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport will remain closed until October 17 following ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen, according to the Saudi civil aviation authority. The closure comes after a series of strikes, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and over 300 injuries, marking the deadliest incident in the kingdom in over a decade.

The attacks have disrupted aviation across the region, with airlines canceling flights and authorities advising caution. Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, highlighted the unprecedented nature of sustained attacks on civil aviation, urging airlines to reconsider risk perceptions. Air traffic was diverted, with commercial flights avoiding the city while still crossing Saudi airspace to reach Jeddah, the kingdom's primary international gateway.

The disruption has posed challenges for airlines globally, with Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, and Etihad Airways among those suspending or extending cancellations to and from Riyadh. The impact extends beyond Saudi Arabia, prompting aviation analysts to advise alternative routes for flights between Europe and Asia. The attacks have also raised concerns over the broader economic implications, potentially affecting Saudi Arabia's economic recovery and events scheduled in the capital, including major conferences.