Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], October 11 (ANI): King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, was focused in one other assault on Saturday (native time), leaving a number of folks injured and forcing a short lived suspension of airport operations, the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated, as a number of worldwide airways cancelled flights and overseas embassies urged their residents to keep away from the airport.
The developments observe Houthi strikes on King Khalid and Abha Airports in Saudi Arabia on October 6 and seven and an escalating battle in Yemen.
In a press release, GACA stated, ‘On Saturday, October 10, 2026, similar to 29 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448H, King Khalid International Airport was focused by an assault, amid ongoing blatant assaults focusing on civil aviation amenities within the Kingdom.’
‘The assault resulted in a variety of accidents, that are at present being assessed,’ the authority stated, including that operations had been quickly suspended pending harm evaluation and security inspections of airport amenities in coordination with the related authorities.
‘Further updates can be offered,’ GACA stated.
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Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged residents whose journey plans had been disrupted by the suspension or delay of flights to contact Saudi diplomatic missions within the international locations the place they had been positioned.
The ministry stated the missions would offer help and vital steering to residents who had been unable to achieve their locations due to disruptions to flights heading to King Khalid International Airport.
‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on residents whose journey itineraries have been affected or who’ve been unable to achieve their locations because of the suspension or delay of some flights heading to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to contact the missions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the international locations the place they’re positioned, as a way to request help and supply the required steering,’ the assertion learn.
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Meanwhile, Akasa Air introduced that it had prolonged the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh till October 13, citing the persevering with safety scenario.
In a journey replace issued on Saturday, the airline stated affected passengers might go for a full refund to the unique fee supply inside seven days or reschedule their journey with out further fees. Passengers who booked by means of journey companions had been suggested to contact them immediately.
‘In view of the persevering with safety scenario in Riyadh, Akasa Air has prolonged the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh until October 13, 2026. We proceed to carefully monitor and assess the scenario on a real-time foundation. Passengers impacted by these cancellations might go for a full refund, credited to the unique supply of fee inside 7 days, or reschedule their journey at no further value. Passengers whose bookings had been made by means of a journey accomplice are requested to contact them immediately for help,’ the assertion learn.
‘The security and well-being of our passengers and crew stay our highest precedence,’ the airline added.
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Kuwait Airways additionally cancelled flights KU775 from Kuwait to Riyadh and KU776 from Riyadh to Kuwait on Saturday because of the airport closure. The airline suggested passengers to watch their flight standing and stated notifications can be despatched to the contact numbers registered with their bookings.
‘Kuwait Airways pronounces the cancellation of flight KU775 (Kuwait to Riyadh) and flight KU776 (Riyadh to Kuwait) right this moment, Saturday, 10 October 2026, because of the closure of the airport ensuing from the safety scenario. The firm urges all passengers to watch the standing of their flights. Notifications and textual content messages can be despatched to the telephone numbers registered of their bookings to tell them of any updates. Passengers might also observe the newest developments through Kuwait Airways official channels. We thank everybody for his or her understanding and cooperation,’ the airline stated.
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Several overseas governments additionally issued journey advisories following the incident.
The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated it was conscious of assaults on the airport on October 10 and strongly advisable that American residents keep away from the airport and surrounding areas.
It additionally stated US authorities workers working in Saudi Arabia would require particular authorisation to make use of King Khalid International Airport. The mission warned of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and journey disruptions, and suggested travellers to substantiate their flight standing immediately with airways and the airport.
‘U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions: U.S. authorities workers working in Saudi Arabia require particular authorization to make use of the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. U.S. authorities workers working in Saudi Arabia are usually not allowed to journey inside 20 miles of the Yemen border as a result of security dangers and wish particular authorization for journey to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif,’ the embassy stated.
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The British Foreign Office stated it was updating its journey recommendation following a severe incident on the airport at roughly 3 pm native time.
‘We advise British nationals to keep away from King Khalid International Airport till the airport is safe and to watch the recommendation of the Saudi authorities,’ it stated.
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Canada’s embassy in Saudi Arabia additionally suggested its residents to keep away from all journey to the airport, citing ongoing navy exercise affecting operations and inflicting journey disruptions.
It urged Canadians to watch native media, observe directions from native authorities and test their flight standing immediately with their airways earlier than departure. The embassy additionally suggested individuals who encountered navy particles or fragments to maneuver away instantly and make contact with native authorities.
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The Japanese embassy strongly condemned what it described as repeated ‘Houthi assaults’ on worldwide airports and different civilian amenities in Saudi Arabia.
‘Attacks on civilians and civilian amenities, in any type, can’t be tolerated,’ the embassy stated, calling on the Houthis to chorus from escalating the scenario inside and out of doors Yemen.
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Germany and Spain additionally issued advisories. The German embassy in Riyadh strongly suggested its residents towards transiting by means of the airport and requested German nationals in Saudi Arabia to register with the Federal Foreign Office’s disaster preparedness listing to obtain data and steering in an emergency.
The Spanish embassy urged its residents to take excessive precautions and keep away from non-essential journey.Â
The newest assault comes two days after separate strikes focusing on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and seven resulted in three deaths and 36 accidents, in response to GACA.
In an earlier assertion issued on Friday, GACA stated three Saudi residents had been killed and a number of other others injured in two separate assaults focusing on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday.
According to the authority, one assault focused the airport’s amenities, whereas one other focused a Saudia plane. The assaults induced property harm and injured Saudi residents and residents of assorted nationalities, with the injured taken to hospitals for medical therapy.
Saudia Airlines confirmed that one in every of its workers was killed within the incident and expressed condolences to the worker’s household.
‘Saudia confirms that the incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted within the lack of one in every of its workers. The airline extends its deepest condolences to his household,’ it stated.
The airline additionally reported harm to one in every of its plane whereas it was parked on the airport, clarifying that no passengers had been on board on the time.
Saudia stated it had activated emergency response procedures in coordination with the related authorities to handle the scenario and supply care and assist to these affected and their households. (ANI)