Riyadh Air moves flights to Al Qassim after airport attacks

Riyadh Air is relocating operations to Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al Qassim to resume limited flights starting October 25, 2026. Paddley Too and One Mile at a Time reported that the carrier is moving several Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to the facility, which is located 400 km northwest of the Saudi capital. [1][2][4]

According to One Mile at a Time, the relocation follows multiple Houthi strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that resulted in at least 15 fatalities, over 300 injuries, and significant structural damage. A Saudia Airbus A320 was destroyed and several other aircraft were damaged during the bombardments. To assist passengers travelling from the capital, Riyadh Air is providing a complimentary 4.5-hour coach service between Riyadh and Al Qassim Airport. [4]

International carriers are continuing to disrupt services into the capital following the attacks. Time Out Riyadh reported that Akasa Air, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and IndiGo have extended their flight suspensions at King Khalid International Airport. Business Standard reported that Air India and Air India Express have cancelled all flights to both Riyadh and Dammam through November 7. [5][7]

Riyadh Air is the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia alongside Saudia and maintains its primary operational hub in the capital. As FTMQ Travel reported earlier, initial attacks on the capital's airport on October 10 caused at least 12 deaths and widespread security concerns across the regional aviation sector. [10][11]