Air travel across the Middle East remains unsettled after a series of attacks in Saudi Arabia prompted airlines to keep revising schedules, even as Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened partially on Sunday, 25 October. The airport is operating from terminals one and two, but the wider regional picture has still led to more cancellations, longer routings and short-notice timetable changes for passengers flying to or through the Gulf and neighbouring markets.
Saudi Arabia has been the main focus of the disruption since early October, when airports and infrastructure came under repeated attack. Riyadh was hit four times, and the reported toll from the violence stands at more than 300 injured and 17 dead. In response, US embassies in the region have warned Americans about possible cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption. The UK has also tightened its advice, telling citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia and not to travel within 10km of the Yemen border.
Major carriers have continued to scale back services. Emirates says Jeddah will return on 30 October, while flights to Riyadh and Dammam stay off the schedule until 8 November. Etihad has cancelled Saudi routes until at least 5 November, Qatar Airways has reduced Jeddah and suspended Riyadh and Dammam for now, and Flydubai has pulled services to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh through 29 October. Other airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Oman Air, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Air Astana, have also made adjustments ranging from temporary suspensions to resumed operations on selected routes. Several international carriers remain affected further afield, with suspensions or delays continuing on services involving Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha and Tel Aviv.
Aviation regulators and airlines continue to urge passengers to check bookings before leaving for the airport. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency still has conflict-zone advisories in place for Saudi Arabia and other parts of the region, with the main notices currently valid until Monday, 16 November unless changed earlier. Saudi airspace remains technically open, but intermittent missile strikes linked to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are still affecting operations. Airlines are offering a mix of refunds, flexible rebooking and limited waivers, but policies vary by carrier and remain subject to further changes as the situation develops.