{
  "id": 13663663,
  "title": "Riyadh airport closure: Emirates, Etihad and other UAE airlines cancel flights",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/riyadh-airport-closure-emirates-etihad-and-other-uae-airlines-cancel-13663663",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T05:56:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2026/10/11/riyadh-airport-closure-emirates-etihad-cancel-flights-sunday-monday/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following a deadly Houthi rebel attack has led UAE airlines to cancel numerous flights. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia among others have all suspended their services connecting major cities in the UAE to the Saudi capital. As of 9:15am UAE time on Sunday, Flightradar24 showed 606 flights to and from Riyadh had been cancelled, including 293 departures and 313 arrivals.\n\nMany UAE-Riyadh services remain scheduled for Monday, but their operation is contingent on conditions at the airport. The cancellation of these flights occurred well beyond previous suspension periods announced by some UAE airlines. Etihad Airways has cancelled flights EY551, EY555, EY559 from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh on Sunday, along with returning services EY552, EY556, and EY560. On Monday, October 12, EY551 and EY552 are also cancelled. Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia services such as EK819, EK817, EK820, FZ847, FZ841, FZ855, G9151, and G9154 have also been listed as cancelled.\n\nPassengers are advised to confirm their flight status with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport and check notifications regarding changes to their bookings. Those with cancelled flights should contact their airline or travel agent to explore rebooking and refund options. For those with onward connections, it is essential to confirm if any changes are required for the rest of their journey.",
  "summary": "UAE airlines cancelled flights to and from Riyadh on Sunday, with the disruption extending into Monday after the closure of King Khalid International Airport because of a deadly Houthi rebel attack. Etihad Airways confirmed six cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh on Sunday and two more on Monday. Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia services connecting Dubai and Sharjah with the Saudi capital…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Riyadh airport closure: Emirates, Etihad and other UAE airlines cancel flights",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/riyadh-airport-closure-emirates-etihad-and-other-uae-airlines-cancel",
        "published": "2026-10-11T05:56:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Kuwait's Jazeera Airways says Riyadh flights affected by temporary suspension",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/kuwaits-jazeera-airways-says-riyadh-flights-affected-by-temporary",
        "published": "2026-10-11T06:04:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "EgyptAir suspends flights from Cairo, Alexandria to Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/egyptair-suspends-flights-from-cairo-alexandria-to-riyadh",
        "published": "2026-10-11T09:20:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}