Riyadh Airport attacked again, flights cancelled
A new attack disrupted parts of the airport on Saturday; independent evidence of who was responsible is still lacking.
Follow-up to: Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42
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Riyadh's international airport was attacked again on Saturday. According to regional officials and eyewitnesses, people were injured, a terminal was evacuated and flights were diverted or cancelled.
The explosion took place at King Khalid International Airport, the main airport serving the Saudi capital. Two regional officials told AP that a passenger terminal was hit and several people were injured. Reuters likewise reported numerous injuries, based on statements from eyewitnesses and people briefed on the situation.
The precise number of casualties has not been released. According to Reuters, the Saudi government and the aviation authority did not immediately respond to questions about the incident. As a result, it remains unclear what damage was caused to the terminal and whether all those injured were passengers, airport staff or emergency responders.
According to flight trackers, aircraft were diverted, and Kuwait Airways cancelled flights to and from Riyadh. The airport was temporarily closed because of the security situation. The Canadian embassy also advised travellers to avoid the airport while military activity continued.
The attack follows a series of attacks on Saudi airports this week. Earlier attacks on Riyadh and Abha left three people dead and dozens injured, according to Saudi authorities. The Houthis, the movement that controls large parts of Yemen, have claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, but the Saudi aviation authority did not identify a perpetrator for those attacks.
The escalation comes after a Saudi-led coalition began an offensive against the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis say their attacks are a response to that military operation. That claim about the motive cannot be independently established; EASA, the European aviation safety organisation, did tighten its warning for Saudi airspace on 9 October.
EASA writes that missiles and drones were used more frequently against Saudi infrastructure in September and October, including around Riyadh. European airlines must avoid parts of the airspace concerned and elsewhere take account of a rapidly deteriorating security situation. For Dutch travellers, this mainly means that flights may be diverted or cancelled at short notice; it is not a general warning to halt all travel to Saudi Arabia.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Riyadh has been attacked again and air traffic has been disrupted.
- The Houthis have claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on Saudi targets, but responsibility for this attack has not been established.
- EASA is warning European airlines about the airspace concerned.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that the escalation cannot be viewed separately from the Saudi offensive in Yemen and that military retaliation increases the risks for civilians and travellers.
Values International law, the protection of civilians and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences Fears further regional escalation, disruption to humanitarian routes and higher costs for civilians.
Centre
Arguments Wants responsibility and damage to be established independently first, while airlines and governments strictly implement the security advice.
Values Factual accuracy, proportionality and institutional risk management.
Consequences Emphasises practical measures such as temporary diversions and diplomatic pressure without prejudging questions of military responsibility.
Right
Arguments Sees the attacks as evidence that armed groups can be deterred only through deterrence and a firm response.
Values National security, the protection of vital infrastructure and order.
Consequences Warns that restraint could leave airports and energy infrastructure vulnerable and calls for stronger military support for Saudi Arabia.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are supported by two independent news organisations and a European aviation authority. Uncertainties about the number of people injured, the damage and those responsible are explicitly included in the text.
- confirmed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again on Saturday and parts of the airport were evacuated. — Reported by AP and Reuters. source
- confirmed People were injured in the new attack, but the precise number is unknown. — AP and Reuters report injuries without a definitive number. source
- confirmed Flights were diverted or cancelled. — AP mentions diverted flights and a cancellation by Kuwait Airways. source
- confirmed Three people were killed and dozens injured in earlier attacks on Saudi airports. — AP cites Saudi authorities on the earlier attacks. source
- confirmed EASA amended its warning for Saudi airspace on 9 October. — The official EASA warning was revised on 9 October. source
Editor's note
The new attack and the disruption to air traffic have been reported by AP and Reuters. The precise number of casualties and responsibility have not yet been confirmed; the Houthis have claimed responsibility for earlier attacks, but this has not been established for the present attack.Sources
- Missile strikes passenger terminal at Riyadh airport and many are wounded, official says — Associated Press
- Multiple people wounded in blast at Riyadh airport, say eyewitnesses — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Airspace of Saudi Arabia — European Union Aviation Safety Agency
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42 Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 05:43 Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 18:48 Riyadh Airport attacked again, flights cancelled (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „riyadh saudi-arabië”
- AD — „riyadh saudi-arabië”
- de Volkskrant — „riyadh saudi-arabië”