King Fahd International Airport attack causes more Saudi flight disruptions

Disruption overview

Airlines have extended cancellations and route suspensions across Saudi Arabia following continuing missile and drone attacks, including a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October 2026 that killed 2 people and injured 8.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened on 18 October, but flights still require advance permission and dozens of international routes remain suspended.

Restrictions vary by carrier, with Cathay Pacific's Riyadh suspension extending to 31 January 2027, while some services continue from Jeddah and Medina.

If your flight is affected you may have rights to a refund, rebooking, and care.

Get flight compensation

Check if the airline owes you money for your delayed or canceled flight

Disruption details

An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October 2026 killed 2 people and injured 8, as continuing missile and drone attacks disrupted flights across Saudi Arabia. Multiple airlines have canceled services or extended suspensions, while operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remain restricted.

For passengers, this means canceled journeys and uncertainty over when suspended routes will return. If you're traveling to or from Saudi Arabia, Riyadh's partial reopening doesn't mean your flight is operating.

King Khalid International Airport reopened on 18 October after earlier attacks had kept it closed for more than a week. However, arriving and departing flights still need advance permission from Saudi aviation authorities, and dozens of international routes remain suspended.

Airports in Riyadh, Dammam, Abha, Jazan, and Najran have been affected, including Abha International Airport, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport, and Najran International Airport.

Airline schedules vary considerably, with some suspensions extending into 2027. The announced changes include:

• Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, Air India, and IndiGo have extended cancellations until at least 24 October.

• KLM has suspended Riyadh flights until the end of October.

• Lufthansa has suspended Riyadh services until 18 November and Dammam services until 30 November.

• British Airways isn't due to resume flights until 3 November, when it plans a limited service.

• Cathay Pacific has extended its Riyadh suspension to 31 January 2027.

• Flydubai has canceled flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha until 24 October.

• Air Arabia has suspended several Saudi routes, while Oman Air has suspended Riyadh flights.

• Emirates has canceled individual services between Dubai and Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah.

Not all services have stopped. Gulf Air said its flights after 18 October were operating as scheduled, and flights continue from some Saudi airports, including those serving Jeddah and Medina. However, continued operations in these cities don't mean the wider disruption has ended.

Saudi authorities continue to issue emergency warnings. The UK Foreign Office has warned that further airport attacks and flight cancellations are very likely. The US, Australia, and Canada have also issued warnings advising caution or against travel.

If you've booked a flight, check your airline's latest updates alongside government travel advice. The restrictions differ by airline and destination, and further attacks could extend disruption to more services.

If your flight is canceled, ask your airline about rebooking or a refund. Depending on the rules covering your journey, you may also be entitled to meals, refreshments, and accommodation if you're left waiting overnight.

Your rights depend on your specific flight and circumstances. AirHelp's free flight checker can help you understand when compensation could apply to your disruption, but for cancellations caused by these attacks, refunds, rebooking, and care are the key forms of support to discuss with your airline.

Protect your future trips with AirHelp+

Secure your flights, luggage and get lounge access

Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.