Saudi Airport Reopens Despite Escalating Houthi Attacks

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh partially resumed operations on October 25, 2026, after closing for two weeks following repeated Houthi attacks. The airport designated Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights operated by Saudi national carriers. However, the reopening occurred amid intensified strikes by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who continued firing ballistic missiles and drones at the Saudi capital and other areas of southern Saudi Arabia on the same day.

The attacks that prompted the closure killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300, making it the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. The facility sustained significant damage, including the destruction of a Saudia Airbus A320 and damage to other aircraft. A Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting multiple missiles and drones in the early hours of October 25, including a ballistic missile and two drones targeting Riyadh itself, as well as additional cruise missiles fired at the southern city of Khamis Mushait.

Despite the partial reopening, passenger flights remained limited and some airlines have relocated operations. Riyadh Air, a newly launched carrier, moved its hub to Al Qassim Airport approximately 400 kilometers from Riyadh, requiring passengers to check in at a Riyadh hotel and take a 4.5-hour bus ride to reach their departure airport. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned that the airport remained "unsafe" and a "military target," cautioning international, regional and local airlines against resuming operations there.

The escalation reflects a breakdown in a years-long truce between the Houthis and Yemen's government-aligned forces. The Iranian-backed rebels have carried out waves of strikes across southern Saudi Arabia, targeting oil infrastructure, military installations, and transportation hubs. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the group reported that at least 10 ballistic missiles were intercepted on October 25 alone, with air defence alerts issued across multiple southern cities including Abha, Taif, Namas and Jazan.