Riyadh Air Traffic: Houthi Strikes Cause Mass Cancellations

Aviation data released Monday reveals that nearly nine out of ten scheduled flights were canceled at Riyadh's main airport over the past two weeks.

The aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 4,071 of 4,736 scheduled departures at King Khalid International Airport were scrapped between October 8 and October 25. This equates to an 86% cancellation rate. The period coincides with an intensified campaign by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis against Saudi targets. The group has used ballistic missiles and drones to strike airports, ports, and oil facilities.

King Khalid International is the second-busiest airport in Saudi Arabia, trailing only Jeddah. It has faced repeated hits during this conflict. An attack on October 10 resulted in 13 deaths, marking the deadliest incident in the kingdom in more than a decade. Saudi authorities halted operations after that strike. They partially reopened the airport on Sunday. Domestic flights resumed from Terminal 1, while national carriers were allowed to operate international services from Terminal 2.

The reopening did not last long before further disruptions. On Monday, the Houthis announced a new attack on the airport, describing it as a military target. International airlines have suspended services to the Saudi capital through November. Delta Air Lines has delayed the launch of its Riyadh route until next year.

The disruption extends beyond the capital. Cirium data indicates that more than 7,800 flights were canceled across Saudi airports during the same period, representing 45% of all scheduled departures. Cancellations peaked on October 12, when over 60% of nationwide flights were grounded. Other major hubs also saw major losses. Dammam recorded a 42% cancellation rate, while Abha, which the Houthis claim to have struck, saw 46.7% of flights canceled.

The impact has reached smaller regional hubs as well. Some of these airports lost the vast majority of their services. At Najran, located near the Yemeni border, every flight was canceled. The travel chaos has led to the cancellation or postponement of several events in Riyadh. This includes Saudi Arabia's primary investment conference, as the flight disruptions complicate travel to and within the country.