Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has reopened for flights on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after a two-week closure caused by repeated strikes from Yemen’s Houthi rebels — but the reopening has come with fresh warnings, explosions over the Saudi capital, and a stark message from the Houthis that the airport remains a target.
What has reopened — and what has not
In a travel advisory posted on Saturday, King Khalid International Airport said Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights and Terminal 2 would serve international flights operated by Saudi national carriers, effective Sunday, October 25. Flight-tracking data showed a plane taking off from the airport early on Sunday, heading to the Saudi city of Jeddah — the first commercial movement since the shutdown began.
Passengers with confirmed bookings have been advised to contact their airlines to verify flight status before heading to the airport, since schedules are still being restored and not every route has resumed.
The reopening does not mean a full return to normal. International carriers have been slower to return: Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7 and to Jeddah until October 31, while IndiGo and Akasa Air have also extended their own Saudi suspensions. Travellers booked on foreign airlines should therefore check with their carrier rather than assuming their flight will operate.
Explosions heard as flights resumed
The reopening was anything but quiet. Three explosions were heard in Riyadh on Sunday, according to an AFP journalist in the city. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said air defences had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh, and that it had shot down two drones in the Riyadh area early on Sunday.
The Houthis, for their part, have warned airlines and travellers to stay away. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the airport was still “unsafe” and a “military target”, warning all international, regional and local airlines — as well as staff and travellers — against using it, and saying the Saudi regime would bear the consequences of any operations at the airport.
Why the airport closed
The airport shut down about two weeks ago after waves of Houthi strikes on the Saudi capital. One attack earlier this month killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 — the deadliest single incident inside Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
The strikes form part of a wider wave of Houthi attacks in recent weeks, after a years-long truce between the Houthis and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government broke down in the summer. Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis, has faced a barrage of strikes on airports, energy infrastructure and military sites, including Aramco facilities, refineries and the East-West oil pipeline.
The fighting has also shifted the focus of the wider US-Iran war and deepened the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, one of the world’s poorest countries.
What travellers need to know
- Terminal 1 is handling domestic flights; Terminal 2 is handling international flights operated by Saudi national carriers.
- Confirm your flight with your airline before travelling to the airport — schedules are still being restored.
- Indian carriers are still suspended: Air India and Air India Express to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7 and to Jeddah until October 31, with IndiGo and Akasa Air suspensions also in place.
- Expect possible disruption: the Houthis have threatened further attacks, and Sunday already saw interceptions over Riyadh.
Timeline
- Summer 2026: The years-long truce between the Houthis and Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government breaks down.
- Early October 2026: A Houthi attack on Riyadh’s airport kills 13 people and wounds more than 300.
- Around October 11, 2026: King Khalid International Airport closes after repeated strikes.
- Saturday, October 24, 2026: The airport announces Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (Saudi-carrier international) will reopen on Sunday.
- Sunday, October 25, 2026: Flights resume — a plane departs for Jeddah — as explosions are heard in Riyadh and the coalition intercepts a ballistic missile and two drones.
Why it matters
Riyadh’s airport is one of the busiest gateways in the Gulf, and its closure stranded passengers, forced airlines to reroute or cancel services, and showed how far the Houthi campaign has reached into Saudi territory. Its reopening is a sign that Saudi authorities judge the airport safe enough to operate again — but the Houthis’ warnings and Sunday’s interceptions show the risk has not gone away. For travellers, airlines and the wider region, the airport’s status has become a day-by-day barometer of the conflict.
What happens next
Whether the reopening holds will depend on whether the Houthis follow through on their threats. If attacks continue, airlines may again suspend services and the airport could close a second time. If the skies stay quiet, more carriers — including the Indian airlines still suspended into November — are likely to restore their Riyadh schedules. For now, the advice to passengers is simple: check before you travel.
FAQs
Is Riyadh airport open now?
Yes. King Khalid International Airport resumed flights on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after a two-week closure, with Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights by Saudi national carriers.
Is it safe to fly to Riyadh?
Flights have resumed, but the Houthis have warned airlines and travellers to stay away, and Sunday saw a ballistic missile intercepted over Riyadh and two drones shot down. Check with your airline and official travel advice before travelling.
Which airlines are flying to Riyadh again?
Saudi national carriers are operating from Terminal 2. Indian carriers remain suspended for now — Air India and Air India Express to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, with IndiGo and Akasa Air suspensions also in place.
Why was Riyadh airport closed?
It closed about two weeks ago after repeated Houthi strikes on the Saudi capital, including an attack earlier this month that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
What did the Houthis say about the reopening?
Military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the airport remains “unsafe” and a “military target”, telling airlines, staff and travellers to avoid it.
Related coverage
Indian airlines are still keeping many Saudi routes suspended — Air India extends its Saudi flight suspensions to November 7 — while the wider escalation continued on Saturday, when Houthi missiles intercepted over the holy cities were reported. More stories like this appear in our World section.