Riyadh keeps moving after deadly strikes, but schools go online and travellers reroute

Riyadh remains bustling with traffic and most offices are open, despite deadly attacks on the city's airport that have disrupted travel and forced schools to transition to online learning. King Khalid International Airport, the kingdom's second-busiest after King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, will stay closed until midnight on October 17 following a series of attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militants.

The attacks, the deadliest in the kingdom in over a decade, have caused significant disruption to Saudi aviation, adding pressure to an industry already facing conflict and higher jet fuel prices. Despite the attacks, life appears normal for many in Riyadh, with streets filled with cars and events, summits, and conferences scheduled to proceed as planned.

However, the Misk Foundation has canceled its annual Global Forum due to organizational and logistical challenges. Schools in Riyadh have been instructed to move to remote learning for a week, as the Houthi group has threatened further strikes on Saudi airports. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with US President Donald Trump considering joining Saudi strikes against the rebels.

Travelers are taking longer routes due to the closure of King Khalid Airport, and there appears to be a gap in public alerts before the latest attacks.