Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport officially reopened on Sunday, but the facility remains largely deserted by international carriers as major airlines suspend operations and regulators issue stringent airspace warnings. Saudi authorities are now requiring airlines to obtain prior permission for every individual flight, a mandate outlined in a Notice to Air Missions issued over the weekend.
The cautious reopening follows a series of attacks on the Riyadh airport that damaged six aircraft, carrying a combined insured value of approximately $375 million. In response to the security threats, Saudi carriers initiated the emergency evacuation of aircraft valued at up to $4 billion out of the city.
International aviation authorities have responded swiftly to the deteriorating security environment. Both United States and European regulators have issued warnings cautioning commercial carriers against operating within the kingdom’s airspace. Major international airlines have extended their suspensions significantly. Lufthansa has grounded flights to the airport until November 18, while Cathay Pacific has suspended its operations there through the end of January. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has delayed the planned launch of its Atlanta route to March 2027.
With commercial options severely restricted in the capital, stranded passengers are seeking alternative travel arrangements across the region. Many travelers are driving long distances to neighboring countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to secure commercial flights out of the region. Wealthier travelers are increasingly turning to private aviation, paying a premium exceeding 50% above prewar rates to charter private flights out of al-Qassim airport, located roughly a four-hour drive north of Riyadh.
