Riyadh Airport Disruption Hit 86% of Departures October 8–25

RIYADH — King Khalid International Airport (RUH) recorded disruption affecting 4,071 of its 4,736 scheduled departures between October 8 and 25, about 86%, according to Cirium figures published on October 26 by Gulf News. The figures quantify the loss of service at the Saudi capital as foreign airlines retain suspensions despite a partial reopening.

Reuters reported the same Riyadh totals as cancellations. Gulf News describes the dataset as scheduled departures canceled or recorded as “no-fly,” a broader classification. Across Saudi Arabia, it counted 7,802 affected departures out of 17,299 scheduled, or 45.1%, over the same period.

Those cumulative percentages cover 18 days. They do not measure the share of flights operating after Sunday's reopening or establish the reason for every affected departure.

The Houthis claimed another attack on Riyadh airport on Monday, October 26, Reuters reported. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the claim, according to that report.

Partial Reopening Leaves Airline Suspensions in Place

Reuters reported that the airport partially reopened on Sunday, October 25, with domestic flights resuming from Terminal 1 and national carriers allowed to operate international services from Terminal 2. ARN News Centre separately reported those terminal arrangements from the airport's October 24 announcement.

KLM (KL) lists all Riyadh and Dammam (DMM) flights as paused through October 31 inclusive. Lufthansa (LH) has suspended Riyadh flights through November 18 inclusive, according to Lufthansa Group. Neither suspension endpoint guarantees a restart the following day.

Delta Air Lines (DL) postponed its planned nonstop Atlanta (ATL)–Riyadh launch until March 2027. Its October 12 statement cited developments in the region and offered affected customers rebooking and refund options, including refunds for the unflown portion of their trips.

The published carrier notices predate the October 25 reopening. They show why passengers cannot infer that an individual booking is operating from a terminal reopening announcement. The airport advised travelers to confirm flight status with their airline before heading to the airport, ARN reported.

Airways previously covered the October closure and checks of airport facilities.