Saudi Arabia’s airports are beginning to welcome flights again, but the return to operations has done little to restore confidence across the international aviation industry. Airlines are continuing to cancel services, reduce schedules and postpone planned resumptions as security concerns across the region disrupt travel. The latest Saudi Arabia flight cancellations highlight a growing challenge for international passengers, particularly those travelling through Riyadh or relying on Gulf hubs for onward connections to Europe, Asia and other destinations.
For travellers, an airport reopening would normally signal a return to normality. This time, however, the picture is more complicated. While Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has partially resumed operations, many carriers are maintaining restrictions well into November, with some suspensions extending into 2027. The continuing uncertainty is affecting holidaymakers, business travellers and passengers connecting through the Middle East, forcing many to reconsider their itineraries and check alternative routes.
Riyadh Airport Reopens as Flight Cancellations Continue
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh partially reopened on October 25, with Terminal 1 handling domestic flights and Terminal 2 serving international passengers.
However, the scale of the disruption remains significant. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 4,071 of the 4,736 flights scheduled at Riyadh between October 8 and October 25 were cancelled, representing approximately 86% of planned services. More than 7,800 flights were cancelled across Saudi Arabia during the same period.
The disruption followed security incidents involving attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, including a deadly strike at Riyadh airport on October 10.
Although airport operations have resumed partially, airlines continue to assess security risks before restoring their schedules. The situation demonstrates that reopening airport facilities does not automatically mean that carriers can safely or reliably resume normal services.
Major Airlines Extend Suspensions Into November
Several international airlines have revised their schedules, with different resumption dates depending on the destination and carrier.
Emirates has scheduled flights between Dubai and Jeddah to resume on October 30, while services to Riyadh and Dammam are planned to restart on November 8. Flights to Medina continue to operate.
Etihad Airways has extended cancellations affecting services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and Dammam, as well as selected Jeddah flights, through November 5.
Lufthansa Group has suspended Riyadh services through November 18 and Dammam flights through November 30. Meanwhile, KLM has extended its Riyadh and Dammam cancellations through November 27.
The situation is also affecting Indian travellers. Air India and Air India Express have suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam through November 7, while Jeddah flights are affected through October 31. IndiGo has suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah through November 14.
Low-cost carrier Akasa Air has extended its Riyadh suspension through November 30 and its Jeddah suspension through November 10. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific has suspended Riyadh services through January 31, 2027.
These differing timelines mean that passengers cannot assume that services will resume simply because an airport has reopened. Travellers should confirm their individual flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
International Travel Faces Wider Disruption
The continuing suspensions are creating difficulties beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders. Gulf airports play an important role in connecting passengers travelling between Europe, Asia, Africa and other international markets. When flights to major destinations are cancelled, travellers may miss connecting services, face longer journeys or need to arrange alternative accommodation. Airlines may also have to reorganise aircraft rotations, crew schedules and connecting itineraries. The uncertainty is particularly challenging for passengers who booked connecting journeys through the region. Even when a flight remains operational, changes to departure times or flight paths can affect the rest of an itinerary. For airlines, restoring services requires more than available airport infrastructure. Carriers must also consider security assessments, airspace restrictions, operational feasibility and the reliability of onward connections.
Consequently, international flight disruptions could continue even as individual airports gradually restore their services.
What Travellers Should Know Before Flying
Passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia or connecting through the Gulf should take several precautions while schedules remain unsettled.
- Check flight status regularly: Confirm departure times and operating status through the airline’s official website or app.
- Review connecting flights: Allow for the possibility that a delayed or cancelled service could affect onward travel.
- Understand rebooking policies: Refunds, alternative flights and date changes depend on the carrier’s conditions and the circumstances of the cancellation.
- Monitor travel advisories: Follow relevant government guidance and airline announcements before departure.
Travellers should avoid relying solely on older booking confirmations, as published schedules may change at short notice.
The reopening of Riyadh’s airport offers a measure of progress, but it has not yet brought the reassurance that international travellers were hoping for. With major airlines extending cancellations and postponing the return of some services, the road to normal operations remains uncertain. For passengers, flexibility and access to reliable flight information are becoming essential parts of travel planning. Until airlines are confident enough to restore their schedules, travellers heading to Saudi Arabia or connecting through the wider region will need to prepare for possible changes, longer journeys and unexpected interruptions.
