{
  "id": 13059562,
  "title": "PIA suspends flights to Riyadh amid Middle East situation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/pia-suspends-flights-to-riyadh-amid-middle-east-situation",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T07:39:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40443436/pia-suspends-flights-to-riyadh-amid-middle-east-situation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily halted its flight operations to Riyadh due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to a spokesperson for the airline. Passengers are urged to contact PIA's call center at 111-786-786 for updates on their travel plans prior to arriving at the airport. PIA extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused by this suspension. This decision follows Yemen's Houthis intensifying their attacks against Saudi Arabia, with missile strikes that have claimed three lives this week. The group claimed responsibility for targeting Riyadh airport, where witnesses reported seeing flames emanating from a plane. Additionally, the Houthis have warned against personnel approaching energy plants. Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted missile struck a kindergarten and a medical complex. Other airlines, such as Lufthansa and Air India, have also suspended flights to Riyadh in response to the Houthi assaults. The Houthis claim their attacks are in retaliation for Saudi support of Yemen's government in their ongoing civil war, while Saudi Arabia asserts it is in support of the UN-recognized government's efforts to reclaim territory from the Houthis. This conflict, stemming from the broader US-Iran conflict, has injected further instability into an already turbulent region, potentially prompting other countries to intervene. Pakistan and Turkiye have been approached by Saudi Arabia for logistical and defensive assistance as they strive to counter Houthi advances in southwest Yemen, near the Red Sea's southern entrance.",
  "summary": "Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh in view of the situation in the Middle East, the airline’s spokesperson said on Friday. The airline advised passengers to contact its call centre at 111-786-786 to confirm the latest status of their flights before leaving for the airport. PIA apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to…",
  "key_points": [
    "PIA suspends flights to Riyadh amid Middle East tensions",
    "Yemen's Houthis intensify attacks against Saudi Arabia",
    "Saudi officials report missile strikes near kindergarten and medical complex"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "Air India and Air India Express raise fuel surcharge on Middle East routes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/air-india-and-air-india-express-raise-fuel-surcharge-on-middle-east",
        "published": "2026-10-09T07:06:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}