Saudi Arabia extends Riyadh airport suspension

GACA has prolonged the closure of King Khalid International Airport to complete safety and readiness checks following Houthi attacks

Staff Writer
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Image: Riyadh Airports Company

Article summary

AI Generated

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority has extended the suspension of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, citing the need to complete safety and readiness checks. No reopening timeline has been announced.

Key points

  • GACA extended the closure of Riyadh's main airport on October 12
  • Safety and operational readiness checks are cited as the reason
  • No timeline for resuming operations has been given

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Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the authority announced on October 12, 2026.

In a statement, GACA said the extension was necessary to allow the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities, and that the process was being handled in coordination with the relevant authorities. No timeline for reopening was given.

The suspension follows Houthi drone and missile strikes on the airport, which drew a formal condemnation from the UAE, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty.