Saudi Arabia Faces Wave of Flight Cancellations Amid Ongoing Houthi Attacks
Air travel across Saudi Arabia remains severely disrupted as Houthi militants continue their targeted strikes against key aviation infrastructure. Latest data from Cirium indicates that over 34 percent of scheduled departures were grounded on Monday, totaling 362 flights. While this represents a slight improvement from the peak of chaos witnessed on Sunday—when more than half of all departures were halted—the aviation sector is still grappling with the fallout of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. These assaults have resulted in significant casualties and widespread safety concerns, forcing airlines to prioritize passenger security over operational schedules.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, major carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai have proactively extended flight suspensions to Riyadh. Domestic operators like Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal have been hit particularly hard, accounting for the vast majority of the cancellations as the kingdom navigates this volatile period. As international condemnation grows and calls to protect civilian infrastructure intensify, airlines continue to monitor the situation closely, leaving travelers facing an uncertain period of restricted connectivity while safety protocols remain strictly enforced.