Yemen and the Red Sea

Xinhua, Gulf News and Iran International report Saudi airport flight disruptions and GACA extension through 17 October

This version is a correction.

ASSESSMENT
Location
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah airports affected)
Actors
Saudi Arabia
Importance
Standard

Qatar Airways said on 12 October 2026 that flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam were temporarily suspended until further notice, citing “the current situation”, Xinhua and Reuters reported. Etihad Airways canceled all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until 19 October, all Abu Dhabi–Dammam flights on 13 and 14 October, and selected Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights through 15 October, according to Gulf News and Reuters. Xinhua reported that Saudi GACA had extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Iran International later reported that the U.S. Embassy said on Thursday, 15 October, that GACA extended the suspension through 17 October; Jeddah and Dammam remained operational, though some flights were delayed or canceled. News reports placed the measures in the context of attacks on Saudi airports; the airline statements themselves did not attribute their suspensions to the Houthis.

Verification: unverified

Evidence: Qatar Airways suspends flights to Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, Dammam, Qatar Airways suspends Riyadh, Dammam flights as airport attacks disrupt air travel, Etihad Airways cancels all Riyadh flights until October 19, suspends services to Jeddah and Dammam, FaytuksNetwork: Qatar Airways flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam temporarily suspended, FaytuksNetwork: Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh cancelled due to regional disruption, Iran International reports GACA extended King Khalid Airport suspension through October 17

Airline advisories reported by Xinhua, Reuters and Gulf News; the link to the Houthi attacks is the reporting outlets' context, not the airlines' wording. Iran International also reports that the U.S. Embassy said Saudi GACA extended the King Khalid Airport suspension through 17 October and that Jeddah/Dammam remained operational with delays or cancellations; the underlying embassy/GACA statements were not attached.