{
  "id": 13097388,
  "title": "Saudia names pilot killed in Riyadh airport attacks, confirms aircraft damage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/saudia-names-pilot-killed-in-riyadh-airport-attacks-confirms-aircraft",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T10:38:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/665248/saudi-arabia/saudia-identifies-pilot-killed-in-riyadh-airport-attacks-confirms-aircraft-damage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "RIYADH — Saudi national carrier Saudia has revealed that Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami was among the fatalities in Thursday's assaults on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with the airline also confirming damage to one of its aircraft while it was grounded. No passengers were aboard the aircraft during the incident.Saudia issued a somber tribute to Alkalthami, hailing his service and the enduring influence he had on his peers. The airline expressed its sympathies to Alkalthami's family, friends, and colleagues.The airline swiftly mobilized its emergency response team in collaboration with local authorities to handle the aftermath, assist those impacted, and offer requisite care and support to the victims and their families.Saudia affirmed that its operations at King Khalid International Airport had normalized by 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, and has since been tracking flight schedules and keeping passengers informed via their official channels.The news follows confirmation by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) that three Saudi nationals perished and multiple others were wounded in two assaults on the airport on the same day. The initial attack was directed at airport infrastructure, while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft.",
  "summary": "RIYADH — Saudia announced Friday that Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami was among those killed in Thursday’s attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, confirming that one of its aircraft was damaged while parked on the ground.The airline said no passengers were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident.In a separate obituary, Saudia identified Alkalthami as the employee who lost…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Attacks on Riyadh’s international airport killed 3 Saudi citizens, and other Mideast developments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/attacks-on-riyadhs-international-airport-killed-3-saudi-citizens-and",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:24:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "U.S. urges Americans in Middle East exercise caution after Houthi strikes on Riyadh Airport kill three",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/u-s-urges-americans-in-middle-east-exercise-caution-after-houthi",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:52:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}