Riyadh Airport Closes Following Houthi Ballistic Missile Attack

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has closed after Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen launched a ballistic missile attack on the airfield, AeroXplorer, Paddley Too, and PYOK reported. Thick black smoke was seen rising over the airfield after a parked airplane caught fire, according to Paddley Too, PYOK, and The Times of India. [1][2][3][4][5][9]

Photographs have emerged showing a destroyed Saudia Airbus A320 series aircraft on the airfield, according to Paddley Too and PYOK. Local authorities have not yet officially confirmed if a parked plane was hit, Paddley Too reported. The missile strike hit the facility after an intercept failure, according to House of Saud. [2][3][4][8]

The attack has caused widespread flight disruptions and cancellations, Newland Chase and Streamlinefeed reported. International carriers including Air India and Lufthansa suspended services to the airport, according to The Sunday Guardian. GujaratSamachar English reported that airlines including IndiGo and Air India have canceled flights to Riyadh through October 10. [6][7][10][11]

Saudi Arabia has been fighting Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen for years, according to Paddley Too. The flag carrier Saudia maintains a major hub at King Khalid International Airport, which serves as one of its primary operating bases alongside its main hub in Jeddah. [2][14]