RIYADH (Web Desk) -Saudi authorities have extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following deadly weekend attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, raising concerns over aviation safety and regional economic stability.
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The Saudi civil aviation authority said the shutdown would continue to allow officials to complete procedures aimed at ensuring the safety and operational readiness of airport facilities.
The airport, Saudi Arabia’s second-busiest after Jeddah, has remained closed since Saturday’s attack, which killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to the reported figures. A further attack on Sunday killed a Pakistani national and injured nearly a dozen others.
The incidents represent one of the most serious disruptions to Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector in years, as escalating regional tensions continue to affect air travel across the Middle East.
Airlines cancel flights
The attacks have caused widespread disruption to international air services. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 99.7 per cent of scheduled flights at Riyadh airport were cancelled on Sunday.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 also showed no aircraft flying over the Saudi capital during the reported disruption.
Several international airlines have suspended or extended the cancellation of services to Saudi Arabia. Lufthansa Group has cancelled flights to Riyadh until October 16, while Air France-KLM has extended its suspension of services to and from the capital until the end of October.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has also extended cancellations affecting around 20 flights serving Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam on Monday and Tuesday.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has advised American carriers to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia amid the security situation.
The continuing disruption has placed additional pressure on airlines operating across the region, with passengers facing cancellations, delays and uncertainty over the resumption of normal services.
Economic concerns mount
The attacks have also raised concerns about the wider economic consequences for Saudi Arabia, particularly as the kingdom seeks to strengthen its position as a global investment and business hub.
Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product is projected to contract by 3.6 per cent this year, according to the figures cited in reports, reflecting several factors, including reduced oil-sector activity.
The security situation has placed major events scheduled in Riyadh this month under pressure. These include the kingdom’s flagship investment conference and the WPC Energy Congress, where several senior oil executives have reportedly been removed from the programme.
Prolonged disruption to air travel could affect business delegations, international investors and visitors attending major conferences, adding to the challenges facing the country’s tourism and aviation sectors.
CCTV footage captures airport explosion
Saudi authorities on Monday released security camera footage showing the moment a powerful explosion struck an area of the airport where passengers were undergoing document checks.
The footage showed Muslim pilgrims wearing white garments queuing at a checkpoint when the blast sent debris and pieces of the ceiling falling into the area.
Airport staff were seen diving beneath desks as passengers attempted to move away from the explosion. Smoke and debris obscured parts of the footage, while several people appeared momentarily stunned by the blast.
Many of the passengers appeared to be pilgrims travelling to Makkah for Umrah, as the religious travel season gains momentum with temperatures beginning to ease across Saudi Arabia.
The release of the footage marked a notable development after Saudi authorities had provided limited public information about the extent of the attacks on the kingdom.
However, authorities have warned of potential legal consequences for witnesses speaking publicly about the strikes and have restricted media access to affected sites, limiting independent reporting.
The Saudi Gazette said the footage highlighted the risks faced by travellers undertaking religious journeys and questioned the Houthis’ claims to religious legitimacy.
The attacks have intensified security concerns across the region, while airlines and passengers await further clarity on when normal operations at Riyadh’s international airport will resume.
