Air India Express and Akasa Air on Thursday cancelled flights to and from Riyadh as the security situation in Saudi Arabia’s capital deteriorated following explosions near King Khalid International Airport.
The cancellations came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they had targeted the Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, meanwhile, said it had intercepted two missiles launched towards the capital. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the Houthi claim.
Air India Express Suspends Riyadh Flights
Air India Express said it had cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the “evolving situation in the region”.
The airline said passengers affected by the cancellations would be offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund if they opted to cancel their bookings.
The decision comes as flight operations at King Khalid International Airport face fresh disruption following the latest security incident.
Akasa Air Cancels Kochi-Riyadh Services
Akasa Air also cancelled its QP 523 Kochi-Riyadh and QP 524 Riyadh-Kochi flights scheduled for October 8.
The airline said passengers affected by the cancellations could either opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost.
Akasa Air said it was monitoring the situation in real time and would inform passengers about any further changes. It also said the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.
Riyadh Airport Advises Passengers To Check Flight Status
King Khalid International Airport asked passengers to contact their respective airlines and check their flight status before travelling to the airport.
The advisory came after multiple explosions were heard across Riyadh on Thursday, with a major blast reported in the vicinity of the airport. A witness told The Associated Press that flights were halted and passengers were asked to evacuate the airport.
The airport said in a statement posted on X: “We would like to inform passengers of the necessity to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before proceeding to the airport.”
Houthis Claim Ballistic Missile Attack
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had targeted King Khalid International Airport around midday with a ballistic missile, claiming that it had “hit its target”.
The Saudi-led coalition, however, said its forces intercepted two missiles fired towards Riyadh. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed that a Houthi missile struck the airport.
The latest incident follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports this week. Saudi authorities said attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport had killed three people and injured 36 others.
Riyadh Airport Already Facing Major Disruptions
The latest attack has added to existing disruption at King Khalid International Airport. According to The National, dozens of departures were affected on Thursday, with 58 flights delayed and 11 cancelled at one point.
The situation has also raised wider concerns for international airlines operating through Saudi airspace as the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-led forces intensifies.
