Blast at Riyadh International Airport causes flight disruptions

A significant blast occurred at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, 2026, amid an intensifying campaign of missile strikes by Yemen’s Houthi group. Witnesses reported seeing multiple injured individuals on the ground following the explosion, with over a dozen ambulances dispatched to the scene. Parts of the terminal were evacuated, and flight tracking services indicated that all incoming flights were either diverted or cancelled.

Major regional carriers, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Kuwait Airways, suspended services to the Saudi capital. The Saudi government and the civil aviation authority have not yet issued an official statement. This incident follows two other attacks on the airport earlier in the week, which resulted in four deaths, multiple injuries, and damage to a Saudia aircraft. The series of strikes has created substantial security concerns shortly before the city is scheduled to host major energy and investment conferences.

Passengers are currently being advised to contact their airlines to confirm flight status before attempting to reach the airport. Ongoing regional tensions and the escalation of attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis remain the primary context for this incident, with the airport facility facing recurring disruptions.