{
  "id": 13061231,
  "title": "PIA temporarily suspends flights to Riyadh citing ‘situation in the Middle East’: spokesperson",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/pia-temporarily-suspends-flights-to-riyadh-citing-situation-in-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T07:45:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2035895/pia-temporarily-suspends-flights-to-riyadh-citing-situation-in-the-middle-east-spokesperson"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily halted its flight operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to the \"situation in the Middle East,\" a spokesperson announced on Friday. Passengers are advised to contact the PIA call center for updates on their flight status. The decision follows the intensifying conflict between Saudi and Houthi forces.\n\nOn Wednesday, three individuals lost their lives in attacks on two Saudi international airports, including the capital Riyadh, as per Yemen's Houthis' claim of firing on the hubs. A Pakistani national was injured in the Riyadh airport attack, alongside five Saudi citizens and two Egyptians. Riyadh airport faced another strike on Thursday, resulting in extensive damage to a plane.\n\nAs of Friday, 104 flights arriving at or departing from Riyadh airport were canceled, while 154 were delayed, according to Flightradar24. On Thursday, the website's data reported 335 canceled flights. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to the country's \"sovereignty, territorial integrity and security\" under the Makkah Defence Alliance.\n\nSigned on August 7, the defense pact, involving Pakistan and Turkiye, aims to enhance collective deterrence and empower signatory states to consider an attack against one as an attack against all. On Monday, Pakistan, alongside Turkiye, agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities swiftly in Saudi Arabia. Following the onset of the US-Iran war, PIA had previously suspended flights to several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. At that time, the airline stated that it would not halt flights to Saudi Arabia.",
  "summary": "Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, “in view of the situation in the Middle East”, according to a spokesperson. The airline asked passengers to contact the PIA call centre to check the latest status of their flights. The announcement comes as fighting between Saudi and Houthi forces intensifies. On Wednesday, three…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia-Houthi conflict escalates: Airlines suspend Riyadh flights after attacks | Watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/saudi-arabia-houthi-conflict-escalates-airlines-suspend-riyadh",
        "published": "2026-10-09T05:57:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "PIA temporarily suspends flights to Riyadh citing ‘situation in the Middle East’: spokesperson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/pia-temporarily-suspends-flights-to-riyadh-citing-situation-in-the-13062480",
        "published": "2026-10-09T07:52:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UAE flights: Emirates, Etihad cancel Riyadh services as Dubai, Abu Dhabi delays hit weekend travel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/uae-flights-emirates-etihad-cancel-riyadh-services-as-dubai-abu-dhabi",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:36:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Narrow body jets will ‘change the shape of travel’, says Dubai Airports CEO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/narrow-body-jets-will-change-the-shape-of-travel-says-dubai-airports",
        "published": "2026-10-09T10:33:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}