Riyadh airport resumes international flights
The reopening follows more than two weeks of closure after attacks by Houthis from Yemen.
Follow-up to: Saudi Arabia reports intercepting Houthi missile and drone Sunday, 25 October 2026, 08:41
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Riyadh’s international airport resumed international flights on Sunday, more than two weeks after Houthi attacks put the airport out of service. Saudi Arabia simultaneously reported that a ballistic missile and drones had been intercepted. The reopening is therefore taking place while the threat persists.
King Khalid International Airport announced that terminals 1 and 2 were once again available for domestic and international flights. According to AP, the airport had already partially reopened for domestic flights after the attacks. The full resumption of air traffic is intended to get Saudi Arabia’s most important air link running again.
The reopening in itself does not mean that the security situation has returned to normal. According to Saudi military spokesman Turki al-Malki, a ballistic missile and a drone heading towards Riyadh were intercepted on Sunday. In addition, ten ballistic missiles were reportedly fired at southern Saudi Arabia. This information comes from the Saudi authorities and could not be independently verified.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have claimed responsibility for the attacks or are being held responsible by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is part of an international coalition that has fought the Houthis in Yemen. In recent weeks, the conflict has become linked to a broader escalation in the Middle East.
According to AP, seventeen people were killed and more than 330 injured in attacks earlier this month at a complex containing other terminals. The airport authorities have designated separate terminals for domestic and international flights for the resumption. The reopening allows airlines to resume their schedules in phases, but new security incidents could once again cause disruption.
For travellers and businesses in Europe, the airport is important as a transit point and link to the Gulf region. The development could also affect air freight, energy trading and diplomatic efforts to limit the regional escalation. The central point of the news is therefore twofold: an important transport hub is reopening, but it is doing so under continuing military threat.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Riyadh’s international airport reopened on 25 October.
- The airport was closed after earlier attacks attributed to the Houthis.
- Saudi Arabia reported new interceptions of missiles and drones on Sunday.
- The Houthis operate from Yemen and the conflict is part of a broader regional escalation.
Left
Arguments The reopening is welcome for civilians and the economy, but military escalation remains the wrong course. This perspective emphasises diplomacy, humanitarian consequences and the need to end the war in Yemen and regional attacks through political means.
Values Human security, international law, diplomacy and the protection of civilians.
Consequences A security approach without a diplomatic track could cause new attacks and prolonged disruption to trade and travel.
Centre
Arguments Airports should be able to remain open as long as security services consider the risk manageable, but the reopening must be accompanied by strict checks and crisis communication. At the same time, a regional channel for negotiations is needed.
Values Proportionality, practical security, international cooperation and continuity.
Consequences A phased reopening could help the economy and travellers without denying the security threat.
Right
Arguments Saudi Arabia has the right to defend its population and infrastructure against missiles and drones. Priority should be given to deterrence, protecting allies and disabling the Houthis’ military capability.
Values National security, deterrence, alliances and the protection of vital infrastructure.
Consequences A credible military response could reduce attacks, but could also cause the regional war to escalate further.
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 airport reopening and the terminals mentioned were reported by AP and AFP. Military claims are explicitly attributed to Saudi authorities and are not presented as independently established.
- confirmed King Khalid International Airport resumed international flights on 25 October. — AP reports that terminals 1 and 2 reopened for domestic and international flights. source
- confirmed The airport was closed for more than two weeks after Houthi attacks. — AP and AFP describe the closure following attacks earlier in October. source
- uncertain Saudi Arabia reported the interception of a ballistic missile and drones. — This is a statement by the Saudi military spokesman; independent confirmation is lacking. source
Editor's note
The airport’s reopening was reported by AP and AFP. The interceptions, responsibility for the attacks and casualty figures are based on statements by parties involved and are not all independently verifiable.Sources
- Saudi Arabia reopens airport as attacks by Houthi rebels persist — Associated Press
- Riyadh airport to resume flights Sunday following closure after Houthi attacks — The Daily Star, op basis van AFP
The story so far
- Saturday, 24 October 2026, 19:43 Houthis report new attacks on Saudi Arabia
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 08:41 Saudi Arabia reports intercepting Houthi missile and drone
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 13:24 Riyadh airport resumes international flights (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „saudi-arabië riyad”
- Trouw — „saudi-arabië riyad”
- NRC — „saudi-arabië riyad”