Houthi Missile Strikes on Riyadh Airport Kill Three, Disrupt Gulf Flights
Houthi missile attacks in Riyadh have claimed three lives and sent shockwaves through the aviation sector, causing widespread flight cancellations across the Gulf. On Thursday, two separate strikes targeted King Khalid International Airport, resulting in the deaths of three Saudi nationals, including a prominent Saudia airline captain identified as Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that the first missile strike targeted airport facilities, while a subsequent strike directly impacted a Saudia aircraft. While airport operations have since resumed, the immediate fallout has been a massive disruption to regional air travel.
Massive Flight Disruptions Across the Region
The scale of the disruption was significant, according to data from Cirium. On Thursday, 169 of the 378 scheduled departures from King Khalid International Airport were cancelled. Saudia was particularly hard hit, dropping 97 of its 140 planned flights.
The heightened security risk has forced several major international carriers to adjust their schedules. Airlines that have implemented flight cancellations include:
- Emirates