Flight cancellations continued to mount across Saudi Arabia on Monday, with hundreds of services disrupted at three of the kingdom’s busiest airports following a series of deadly attacks attributed to Yemen’s
Houthi rebels.
According to Flightradar24 data reviewed by Gulf Business at around 5.30 am Saudi time, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport recorded 436 cancellations, accounting for 64 per cent of scheduled flights.
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reported 115 cancellations, or 15 per cent of services, while Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport listed 63 cancellations, representing 27 per cent.
The latest figures came after a day of major disruptions on Sunday, when 655 flights were cancelled at Riyadh airport, accounting for 98 per cent of scheduled services. Operations at the airport had been temporarily suspended following an attack on Saturday that killed 12 people and injured over 300.
Jeddah recorded 158 cancellations and 393 delays on Sunday, while Dammam reported 58 cancellations and 115 delays.
Flightradar24 data showed a total of 871 cancellation listings across the three airports on Sunday, followed by another 614 on Monday. The airport-wise figures may include overlapping entries for flights connecting the three hubs.
Umrah Pilgrims Among Those Stranded
The flight disruptions have affected religious travel, leaving Umrah pilgrims among those caught up in the attacks and subsequent cancellations.
Footage broadcast by Saudi state television showed scores of pilgrims preparing to board flights at Riyadh airport on Saturday when a strike sparked panic inside the terminal.
Bangladesh’s expatriates’ welfare ministry said around 500 Bangladeshi passengers were stranded in Riyadh following the attack.
Riyadh airport has been targeted repeatedly in recent days. Saturday’s strike killed 13 people and injured more than 300, while another attack hit Terminal 4 on Sunday, killing one person and injuring 11 others, according to Saudi aviation authorities.
Dammam airport was also targeted on Sunday evening, with Saudi authorities saying damage assessments and safety inspections were underway.
UAE Airlines Extend Flight Cancellations
Airline disruptions have extended beyond Saudi Arabia, affecting international routes connecting the kingdom with the UAE.
Etihad Airways has listed cancellations on selected flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam through Tuesday, October 13.
Emirates has cancelled selected services between Dubai and Saudi destinations, while flydubai has extended cancellations on its Riyadh routes until October 14.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Dubai has arranged buses to transport Saudi citizens stranded in the UAE because of the flight cancellations.
Other international carriers have also revised their schedules. Lufthansa Group had previously announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh through October 16, while several Indian airlines have cancelled services.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a safety advisory asking US operators to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, citing military activity and possible interference with navigation systems. The advisory remains in effect until December 10.
