Airlines suspend flights and face security challenges at Riyadh airport

An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300 on October 10, Skift reported, citing Saudi authorities. The strike forced another suspension of operations at the airport. Skift said Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen had claimed earlier attacks on the facility. In response to the regional conflict, Indian carrier Akasa Air extended its suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia until October 13, according to the Sunday Guardian. [1][2]

The ongoing regional war is increasing the expense of attracting international visitors to Saudi Arabia, Skift reported. Despite the recent attack, Delta Air Lines has not announced a postponement of its planned nonstop route between Atlanta and Riyadh, which is scheduled to launch on October 23. Skift reported that this route would mark the first nonstop service between the destinations by a United States airline. The carrier was offering one-way award tickets on the route for as low as 15,000 miles. [1]

Saudi Arabia is the second largest tourist destination in the Middle East, recording more than 16 million visitors in 2017. While religious pilgrimages make up the bulk of its travel sector, leisure tourism generated 27.5 billion dollars in 2019. Major leisure destinations in the country include the Hijaz and Sarawat Mountains, Red Sea diving sites, and ancient ruins. [5]