Airlines Suspend Riyadh Flights After Explosions Rock Saudi Capital
Lufthansa and Indian carriers halt services to the Saudi capital following reports of explosions, including a significant blast at the international airport.
Airlines, including Lufthansa and Air India, have temporarily suspended flights to Saudi Arabia's capital following reports of explosions, including a large blast at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Thursday.
More than 275 flights were canceled at the airport, accounting for 40% of scheduled arrivals and 30% of scheduled departures, according to flight monitor FlightAware. The airport experienced closures, with the last landing occurring more than 80 minutes before a midday update and the last takeoff more than 90 minutes prior.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack on Riyadh's airport, stating a ballistic missile caused damage, though they offered no evidence. The Houthi military spokesman later asserted the group had fired additional ballistic and cruise missiles at airports in Riyadh and the southwestern city of Najran, claiming these actions disrupted flights. Saudi authorities had no immediate comment on the rebel claims.
Lufthansa Group announced that its airlines will suspend flights to Riyadh through October 16 due to "current developments in the Middle East." The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that several Indian airlines had also suspended service. Air India stated that a flight from Delhi to Riyadh earlier in the day returned to Delhi and was subsequently canceled, along with all service to and from Riyadh until Saturday, citing "the interest of safety." Budget carriers Akasa Air and IndiGo also announced suspensions of their Riyadh services through Saturday and Friday, respectively.