Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following the interception of a ballistic missile aimed at Khamis Mushait. This decision comes amid escalating threats from drone and missile attacks, significantly impacting international air travel.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the suspension of airport operations to ensure safety and readiness checks on its facilities, although no official date for resuming flights has been provided. The closure follows a series of attacks that resulted in 13 fatalities and over 300 injuries, including the death of a Pakistani resident during a recent assault.
Major General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, confirmed that the missile targeting Khamis Mushait was intercepted, alongside a drone aimed at the Eastern Province. He noted that the coalition is addressing new threats involving drones and cruise missiles directed at the Kingdom.
The repercussions of the attacks have been felt across the aviation sector, with several airlines suspending flights to Riyadh. Lufthansa has canceled operations until October 16, while Air France-KLM has extended its suspension until the end of the month. Gulf Air has halted flights until October 17, and both Air India and IndiGo have canceled services until October 15. Philippine Airlines has pushed its suspension to November 29, and Delta Air Lines has postponed the launch of its Atlanta-Riyadh route until March 2027. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, flight cancellations at Saudi airports have reached 46.4%.
In a related development, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman remarked at the World Petroleum Congress that the recent attacks have tested the Kingdom’s infrastructure and resilience, emphasizing the critical nature of energy security. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed the UK’s readiness to consider further support requests from Saudi Arabia, following an agreement last month to provide limited aerial refueling capabilities.
On the ground in Yemen, military sources reported over 60 casualties in 24 hours of fighting in Taiz, where Houthi forces have intensified their siege. Clashes have also erupted in Lahj, and the Yemeni army continues its operations against the Houthis in Marib as part of Operation ‘Dawn of Yemen’. Tehran has indicated its willingness to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties, although it has not condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia.
As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring the implications of these developments on regional stability and air travel safety.
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