Saudi capital's airport to remain shut this week as airlines cancel services
DAL•Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport will remain closed until October 17 after deadly Houthi attacks, while airlines extend or add flight cancellations. Cancellations across Saudi airports reached 46.4%, and Delta delayed its planned Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027.
1. Airport closure extended
Authorities extended the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport until 2100 GMT on October 17, citing procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of its facilities. The airport has been shut since an attack on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300; another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen.
2. Airlines suspend services
Cancellations across all Saudi airports reached 46.4%, aviation analytics firm Cirium said. Lufthansa Group cancelled Riyadh flights until October 16, Air France-KLM extended its suspension through the end of October, and Etihad Airways also extended cancellations. Delta Air Lines delayed its planned Atlanta-Riyadh service, initially due to begin October 23, until March 2027.
3. Economic events affected
Saudi Arabia's real GDP is projected to contract by 3.6% this year, reflecting several factors including lower oil activity. Events scheduled in Riyadh this month, including the kingdom's flagship investment conference and the WPC Energy Congress, have come under pressure.
