RIYADH – Saudi capital witnessed chaotic scenes at one of key airport amid new wave of Houthi attacks that pushed tensions across the region to a dangerous level.
Thick black smoke and flames were seen rising from the airport area as emergency and ambulance teams rushed to the scene. Passengers were reportedly told to evacuate and leave their checked luggage behind, while outgoing flights were temporarily suspended. The latest incident came just days after deadly attacks on Saudi airports that killed three civilians and injured 36 others.
Smoke POURS from Riyadh Airport after strike — reportedly hitting PLANE on tarmac https://t.co/2yq6T9W4nQ
— RT (@RT_com) October 8, 2026
Riyadh Flight Airport Operations
The fresh explosions caused major disruption to air traffic at King Khalid International Airport. Flight-tracking data showed that the airport was closed again, with a significant gap between the last recorded landing and takeoff. By the middle of the afternoon GMT, nearly half of scheduled Riyadh departures had reportedly been cancelled or listed as not operating.
A large number of arriving flights were also affected, while delays continued to build. Several international airlines, including Air India and airlines within the Lufthansa Group, suspended or restricted their Riyadh operations as the security situation developed.
The disruption raised immediate concerns for thousands of passengers travelling through one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest aviation hubs.
Houthis claimed that the group had launched a ballistic missile toward King Khalid International Airport. According to the Houthi claim, the missile successfully hit its intended target and disrupted air traffic at the airport. The group also repeated claims about attacks targeting Abha and the Khamis Mushait area near the King Khalid airbase.
Saudi authorities have given a different account of Thursday’s attack. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles heading toward Riyadh and another missile aimed at Khamis Mushait.
Recent developments followed attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7. Saudi aviation authorities confirmed three civilian deaths and 36 injuries.
Sudanese national was killed in Riyadh, while Egyptian and Algerian nationals were among those killed in Abha. Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying ballistic missiles and drones were used. Saudi-led coalition subsequently said it had destroyed a launch platform in Sanaa linked to the Riyadh attack.
The attacks are part of a much wider escalation surrounding Yemen’s renewed civil war. Fighting reportedly resumed around July after a period of relative calm, with Houthi forces once again carrying out cross-border attacks against Saudi targets. Airports, military facilities and energy-related sites have increasingly featured in the group’s claims.
The latest attacks have drawn strong condemnation from Pakistan, Britain, UAE, France and other countries. The growing violence has raised concerns well beyond Saudi Arabia, particularly over the potential impact on commercial aviation, oil supplies and regional security.
