{
  "id": 8600991,
  "title": "Flight disruptions after Houthi attack in Saudi Arabia, Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi flight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/flight-disruptions-after-houthi-attack-in-saudi-arabia-etihad-cancels",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T03:37:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/world/etihad-airlines-delhi-abu-dhabi-flight-cancelled-saudi-houthi-attack-riyadh-10885733/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tensions have escalated in West Asia following a Houthi attack on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, resulting in travel advisories and air travel disruptions across the region. On Saturday, smoke was spotted near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, causing flight operations to be disrupted.\n\nMeanwhile, at Delhi's international airport on Saturday night, a significant disruption unfolded thousands of kilometers away. Around 200 passengers who had boarded Etihad Airways flight EY217, destined for Abu Dhabi, faced a sudden cancellation of their journey due to a technical fault discovered on the aircraft shortly before departure. The flight, scheduled to leave Delhi for Abu Dhabi at 9:15 pm, underwent a rapid transformation for its 200 passengers.\n\nAfter receiving an announcement that there was a technical issue, the passengers were asked to deboard the aircraft. They waited for a few hours, anxiously awaiting updates from the airline. Eventually, Etihad Airways confirmed the cancellation of flight EY217, leaving many stranded and scrambling to find alternative transportation for their journey.\n\nThe exact cause of the technical fault remains unconfirmed. Flight EY217 was intended to be operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This incident highlights the significant impact of regional conflicts on air travel. In Riyadh, the Saudi-led coalition forces reported successfully shooting down one of the Houthi missiles and drones aimed at King Khalid International Airport, preventing a potential catastrophe. However, the disruption extended beyond Riyadh, affecting air travel in Dubai and Sharjah as well.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi-8524703",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:46:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-19T12:06:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Riyadh airport: Explosions, black smoke and flight disrupt after Saudi ‘hostile aerial threat’ alert amid Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/riyadh-airport-explosions-black-smoke-and-flight-disrupt-after-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-19T13:58:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi-8545040",
        "published": "2026-09-19T22:13:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi-8561792",
        "published": "2026-09-19T23:27:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/flames-smoke-seen-near-riyadh-airport-houthis-claim-attacks-on-saudi-8561833",
        "published": "2026-09-19T23:27:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Houthis target 'sensitive' sites in escalation of attacks on Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/houthis-target-sensitive-sites-in-escalation-of-attacks-on-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-20T00:32:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Houthis claim drone attack on Saudi Arabia's capital after smoke seen rising near airport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/houthis-claim-drone-attack-on-saudi-arabias-capital-after-smoke-seen",
        "published": "2026-09-20T00:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Houthi attack targets Riyadh as Saudi Arabia faces escalating strikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/houthi-attack-targets-riyadh-as-saudi-arabia-faces-escalating-strikes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:18:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "UN and GCC condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and civilians",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/un-and-gcc-condemn-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-and-civilians",
        "published": "2026-09-20T02:29:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}