RIYADH – Passengers at Riyadh Airport were left scrambling for safety after a loud blast triggered evacuations, while airlines cancelled and diverted flights amid growing fears that Saudi Arabia’s aviation crisis could take a dangerous turn.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation crisis deepened as another loud blast was reported at Riyadh’s international airport, triggering passenger evacuations, an emergency response involving more than a dozen ambulances and widespread flight disruption amid escalating missile threats.
Footage from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh shows a plume of smoke rising from the Terminal 3, following a Houthi ballistic missile attack.
Fire sirens continue to sound inside the airport, where the smoke is coming from. https://t.co/AEZCxUza2x
— MoloMonitor 🇮🇹 (@MoloWarMonitor) October 10, 2026
The latest incident has intensified fears for civilian safety in the Saudi capital, where the airport has already been hit by two attacks earlier in the week that reportedly left people dead and injured and damaged an aircraft. Saturday’s blast added to mounting uncertainty over whether normal air travel can continue as the regional confrontation escalates.
An eyewitness and people briefed on the incident reported hearing a loud explosion as emergency vehicles rushed towards the airport. Travellers were evacuated from parts of the facility, while a helicopter was reportedly seen hovering above the airport.
The cause of Saturday’s blast remained unconfirmed, and Saudi authorities had not immediately issued a detailed explanation of the incident.
The security scare sent air traffic into further turmoil, with Flightradar24 showing incoming flights being diverted or cancelled. Airport authorities urged passengers to contact their airlines and verify their flight status before travelling to the facility.
Several Airlines cancelled services connecting Riyadh with their respective hubs, with some cancellations extending into Monday. Other international carriers had already suspended services following the earlier attacks, leaving passengers scrambling to rearrange their journeys.
The disruption follows an earlier wave of cancellations that affected hundreds of flights. Lufthansa and several Indian airlines also suspended Riyadh services amid concerns over the deteriorating security situation, while flight operators assessed whether it was safe to continue flying to the Saudi capital.
The recent explosion comes after two attacks at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport earlier in the week. Saudi authorities reportedly confirmed that three Saudi citizens were killed and several other people were injured in the attacks, which targeted airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft.
Saudi Pilot among Three Killed in Houthi Attacks on Riyadh, Abha Airports
The strikes also damaged airport property and disrupted operations, placing the kingdom’s aviation infrastructure under growing pressure. The repeated incidents have raised serious concerns about the risks facing passengers, airline crews and airport personnel as attacks against Saudi targets intensify.
The escalating crisis is linked to renewed fighting in Yemen, where Saudi-backed government forces have launched an offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets and warned commercial airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, describing it as a military operations zone. However, responsibility for Saturday’s reported blast had not been established at the time of reporting.
The growing threat has also prompted wider aviation safety concerns. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency expanded its advisory covering Saudi airspace following renewed missile attacks, citing risks to civilian aircraft from missile activity, possible misidentification and debris from interceptions.
The airport crisis comes at a sensitive moment for Riyadh, which is preparing to host major international energy and investment gatherings despite the mounting security concerns.
Organisers have said the events will proceed as scheduled and sought to reassure participants that security arrangements are being strengthened. The World Petroleum Congress is scheduled for October 10–14, while the Future Investment Initiative is planned for October 26–29.
The disruption nevertheless threatens to complicate travel for international delegates, business executives and policymakers heading to the kingdom, with some travellers facing cancellations and alternative routes.
Lufthansa, IndiGo, other Airlines stop flights to Riyadh Airport amid Houthi Attacks
