Houthi Attacks Cancel 86% of Riyadh Airport Flights Since Early October

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have grounded nearly nine in ten scheduled flights at Riyadh’s main airport, according to data released on Monday. The conflict has emptied the skies over the Saudi capital, with aviation analytics firm Cirium reporting that 4,071 of 4,736 flights at King Khalid International Airport were canceled between October 8 and October 25. That figure represents an 86% cancellation rate for the period.

The disruption stems from an intensified Houthi campaign using ballistic missiles and drones to target Saudi infrastructure, including airports, ports, and oil facilities. King Khalid International Airport, the kingdom’s second-busiest hub after Jeddah, has faced repeated strikes. An attack on October 10 killed 13 people, marking the deadliest incident in the country in over a decade. Saudi authorities halted operations at the airport on that date and only partially reopened it on Sunday. Domestic flights resumed from Terminal 1, while national carriers were allowed to operate international services from Terminal 2.

The partial reopening did not last long. On Monday, the Houthis announced another strike on the airport, labeling it a military target. In response, international airlines have suspended services to Riyadh through November. Delta Air Lines has moved the launch of its Riyadh route to next year, delaying its entry into the market.

The disruption has rippled beyond the airport, affecting the wider economy. Several major events in Riyadh have been canceled or postponed, including the kingdom’s primary investment conference, as travel difficulties mount. The financial impact is visible in nationwide data, which shows that 7,800 flights, or 45% of all scheduled departures from Saudi airports, were canceled between October 8 and October 25. Cancellation rates peaked on October 12, when more than 60% of scheduled flights nationwide were scrapped.

Other Saudi airports have also faced severe reductions in service. Dammam recorded a 42% cancellation rate, while Abha, which the Houthis have claimed as a target, saw 46.7% of flights canceled. Smaller regional airports have lost most of their services. At Najran, located near the Yemeni border, every scheduled flight was canceled during the same period.

The situation remains fluid as airlines adjust their schedules. The data reflects the cumulative effect of the attacks since October 8. With the airport still operating under a restricted schedule and further strikes reported on Monday, carriers are reassessing their risk exposure in the region.