Saudi Flight Operations Disrupted After More Houthi Attacks

RIYADH: Flight operations across Saudi Arabia have been severely disrupted following reported Houthi attacks, with hundreds of flights cancelled and numerous aircraft diverted to airports in other cities.

According to flight schedules, 446 of the 750 flights scheduled at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were cancelled.

The airport was closed for several hours, forcing incoming flights to divert to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah.

The disruption also affected other major Saudi airports. Of 830 scheduled flights at Jeddah Airport, 92 were cancelled, while Dammam Airport recorded 39 cancellations out of 240 flights. Madinah Airport cancelled 26 of its 230 scheduled flights.

Some flights heading to Dammam also reportedly faced delays while waiting for permission to land.

Riyadh’s airport was ranked among the world’s most disrupted airports, with average flight delays reaching 170 minutes. The flight disruption index reportedly reached its highest level.

The cancellations and diversions at Riyadh Airport also placed additional pressure on operations at Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, disrupting air travel across the country.