Riyadh airport closure extended to October 17 after Houthi attacks
In short
Saudi authorities extended the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport to October 17 after repeated Houthi attacks, Korean outlets reported. Airlines suspended Riyadh services, while the Houthis renewed warnings against using Saudi airports and airspace.
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Saudi authorities extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to October 17 following repeated Houthi attacks, Hankook Ilbo and other Korean outlets reported. The Saudi civil aviation authority said operations were suspended to check the safety of airport facilities and their operational readiness. The closure followed attacks on the airport on October 10 and 11, with another missile attack reported on October 12. [ 9 , 10 , 12 ]
The Houthis claimed they accurately struck King Khalid airport with a ballistic missile on October 12. The Saudi-led coalition said the attack was intercepted. Hankook Ilbo, citing AP, reported at least three explosions in Riyadh that night. Saudi authorities had sent warnings about hostile threats to residents of Riyadh and Khamis Mushait. The Houthi spokesperson also claimed a drone attack on an air base near Khamis Mushait. [ 7 , 10 ]
Airlines reduced services as the disruption continued. Lufthansa Group cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, and Air France-KLM extended its suspension to the end of the month, according to reports cited by Korea Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo. Korea Economic Daily cited Cirium data showing 99.7% of King Khalid airport's scheduled flights on October 11 were cancelled. It reported that Jeddah airport continued operating normally. [ 9 , 10 ]
The Houthis reiterated warnings to airlines, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, excluding Mecca and Medina. Korean reports give different death tolls for the October 10 airport attack: Yonhap reported 12 deaths, Korea Economic Daily reported 13 and Kukmin Ilbo reported 14. All three described about 300 or more injured. Chosun Ilbo and ZDNet Korea reported airlines changing routes between Europe and Asia as available alternatives narrowed. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The attacks and airport closure have disrupted flights and forced airlines to change routes between Europe and Asia. Saudi aviation authorities said operations were suspended to check airport facilities' safety and readiness.
Key facts
- King Khalid International Airport's closure was extended to October 17. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
- Lufthansa Group cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension to the end of the month. [ 9 , 10 ]
- Cirium data showed 99.7% of flights scheduled at King Khalid airport on October 11 were cancelled, Korea Economic Daily reported. [ 9 ]
- The Houthis warned against using Saudi airports and airspace, exempting Mecca and Medina. [ 1 , 3 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The outcome of the October 12 missile attack is disputed. The Houthis claimed an accurate strike on the airport; the Saudi-led coalition said the attack was intercepted.
- Reports give different death tolls for the October 10 airport attack. Yonhap reported 12 deaths, Korea Economic Daily reported 13 and Kukmin Ilbo reported 14.