Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains closed as Saudi authorities continue safety and operational-readiness checks. Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Riyadh Air have cancelled or suspended flights on affected routes. The disruption matters to UAE residents travelling to Saudi Arabia, passengers connecting through Riyadh and businesses relying on regional air links.
- Location: King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Organisations: Saudi GACA, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Riyadh Air
- Status: Airport operations suspended as of October 13, 2026
- Who is affected: Passengers travelling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other international destinations
- Travel impact: Flight cancellations, disrupted connections and possible itinerary changes
- What’s next: Passengers should check airline advisories for the latest operational updates and available rebooking options
The Riyadh airport closure has led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting services operated by Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Riyadh Air. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed that operations at King Khalid International Airport remain suspended while authorities verify the safety and operational readiness of its facilities.
The disruption affects passengers travelling between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as those flying to international destinations through Riyadh. Etihad has cancelled Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until October 19, while other airlines have announced separate cancellation periods or temporary suspensions.
There is no confirmed reopening date in GACA’s published statement. Travellers should therefore check directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
Why has Riyadh airport closed?
GACA said the suspension would remain in place while the relevant authorities completed procedures to verify the safety and operational readiness of King Khalid International Airport’s facilities.
The checks are being carried out in coordination with other government agencies. However, GACA has not announced a confirmed date for the airport to resume operations in its published statement.
The closure has prompted airlines to revise their schedules, with cancellation periods varying by carrier and route. Passengers should not assume that a flight will operate simply because it falls outside an airline’s currently published cancellation window.
Reuters has also reported wider flight disruption affecting several international carriers. This highlights the broader impact on regional air travel, although each airline continues to manage its own schedule and passenger arrangements.
Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until October 19
Etihad Airways has cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until Monday, October 19, according to its travel advisory.
The UAE airline has also cancelled selected services to Dammam and Jeddah.
For Dammam, the cancellations include all Abu Dhabi–Dammam services scheduled for October 13 and 14. Flights affected on October 12 included EY573, EY574, EY575 and EY576.
For Jeddah, Etihad has cancelled flights EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 for October 12–14. Flights EY603 and EY604 are also cancelled on October 15.
The airline has warned that the situation remains subject to change. Passengers travelling on these routes should check their booking details and flight status through Etihad’s official website before travelling.
Travellers with onward connections should also contact the airline to confirm whether their remaining itinerary is affected.
Qatar Airways suspends Riyadh and Dammam services
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam, according to its October 12 travel advisory.
The airline said it was monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the relevant authorities. A confirmed date for resuming these services was not included in the advisory.
Affected passengers will be contacted directly, while travellers can check their booking status through the Qatar Airways website or mobile application.
Passengers connecting through Doha should review their full itinerary rather than checking only the first flight. A change to one sector may affect onward travel, depending on the booking and the airline’s arrangements.
Gulf Air extends Riyadh flight cancellations
Bahrain-based Gulf Air has cancelled flights to and from Riyadh from October 12 until midnight on October 17.
The cancellation notice applies specifically to Riyadh services. It does not establish that all Gulf Air flights to Saudi Arabia are suspended.
The airline has advised affected passengers to contact its Worldwide Contact Centre for assistance with rebooking.
Passengers booked on Gulf Air flights after October 17 should still check the latest updates before travelling. The end of the published cancellation period does not, by itself, guarantee that airport operations or the airline’s schedule will return to normal at that time.
Riyadh Air cancels international and domestic flights
Riyadh Air has published cancellations affecting domestic services and international routes following the airport suspension.
Its October 13 cancellation list includes flights connecting Riyadh with Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, London Heathrow, Manchester, Islamabad, Lahore, Mumbai, Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur.
The airline has also announced temporary travel flexibility for eligible passengers booked to travel up to October 24, 2026.
Under the published arrangements, eligible passengers can make one free rebooking within 21 days of their original travel date, subject to availability and the airline’s conditions. The replacement journey must retain the same destination and cabin, and passengers cannot reroute to a different destination under this arrangement.
Those who no longer wish to travel can request a full refund for unused flight sectors. Eligible refunds also cover additional fees paid for services such as seat selection and excess or oversized baggage.
Passengers should review the latest notice before making changes, as eligibility and available flights depend on the airline’s published conditions.
When will Riyadh airport reopen?
GACA has not confirmed a reopening date in its published statement. The authority says safety and operational-readiness procedures must be completed before operations resume.
Reuters has reported that an aviation notice indicated a closure period extending to October 17. However, that reported date should not be treated as a guaranteed reopening time unless Saudi authorities issue a corresponding confirmation.
Airlines have also announced different cancellation deadlines, reflecting their individual schedules and operating decisions.
Passengers travelling to Riyadh or connecting through the airport should check their flight status, email and airline notifications before setting out. Travellers who have booked through a travel agent should contact the agent as well to confirm available alternatives.
The Riyadh airport closure affects travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including business trips, family visits and international connections. Passengers may need to change their departure dates, arrange alternative connections or request refunds, depending on their airline and booking conditions.
Businesses with employees travelling across the region may also need to review upcoming itineraries. Airlines and travel agents remain the main sources of information about individual bookings, while Saudi authorities will determine when airport operations can safely resume.
For UAE residents, the most practical step is to verify the flight directly with the operating airline before travelling. Published cancellation dates can change as the situation develops.
FAQs
Are flights from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh cancelled?
Etihad Airways has cancelled Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until October 19, 2026. Passengers should check their individual bookings for the latest status.
Is Riyadh airport open on October 13, 2026?
No. According to GACA’s published statement, operations at King Khalid International Airport remain suspended while safety and operational-readiness checks continue.
Has Qatar Airways suspended flights to Riyadh?
Yes. Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam. Its October 12 advisory did not specify a resumption date.
Can Riyadh Air passengers rebook for free?
Eligible passengers covered by Riyadh Air’s temporary travel-flexibility arrangements can make one free rebooking within 21 days of their original travel date, subject to the airline’s conditions and seat availability. Eligible passengers can also request refunds.
When will Riyadh airport reopen?
GACA has not confirmed an official reopening date in its published statement. Passengers should follow updates from Saudi authorities and their airline before travelling.
What travellers should do next?
The Riyadh airport closure continues to disrupt flights across several airlines, with different cancellation periods and passenger options in place. Until Saudi authorities confirm that operations can resume, travellers should verify their bookings directly with their airline and avoid relying on older flight schedules.
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