Riyadh Airport Reopens, but These Airlines Still Have Saudi Flight Suspensions
Riyadh airport has reopened, but airline suspensions extend from late October into 2027. Here is what travelers should check before flying.
Key Notes
- Riyadh airport reopened on October 18, but airlines retain separate operating restrictions.
- Etihad cancellations run through October 24, while Lufthansa and Cathay have longer suspensions.
- A suspension end date is not a confirmed flight restart.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened on Sunday, October 18, following its closure after Houthi attacks, but international airline services are returning on different schedules. For passengers, the reopening is a change in airport operations, rather than confirmation that a canceled flight has been restored.
The National reported the reopening and continuing suspensions. Airline notices checked on October 20 show restrictions lasting from the coming weekend to January 2027, depending on the carrier. Travelers should confirm their own flight, not assume the same deadline applies across Saudi Arabia.
Etihad: Key Routes Canceled Through October 24
Etihad’s latest notice cancels all services between Abu Dhabi and both Riyadh and Dammam through Saturday, October 24. For Jeddah, it identifies four affected flights through the same date: EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi, and EY602 and EY604 in the opposite direction.
That flight-specific wording matters when checking a Jeddah booking. The carrier warns that further changes remain possible, so the end of the published cancellation period is not an assurance that the following day’s flight will operate.
Qatar Airways: Riyadh and Dammam Remain Suspended
Qatar Airways’ travel alert says services to and from Riyadh and Dammam are temporarily suspended. The visible notice does not specify a restart date, and asks passengers to check its website or app for their flight status.
The airline says affected customers will be contacted directly. For journeys connecting through Doha, travelers should check that the Saudi sector and onward flight remain part of a confirmed itinerary before making new arrangements.
Lufthansa and Cathay Have Longer Suspensions
Lufthansa’s service update suspends Riyadh flights up to and including November 18. Although the page discusses the group’s broader return to Middle East destinations, its specific Riyadh restriction remains in place.
Cathay Pacific’s cancellation notice extends further: its Riyadh and Dubai passenger flights are canceled through January 31, 2027. The carrier offers affected travelers options to rebook, reroute or obtain a refund.
These longer suspensions also show why an airport reopening and an airline’s return should be treated as separate developments. The operating decision still rests with each carrier, and published restrictions can be revised.
Other Airlines Are Working to Different Timelines
The National’s October 19 roundup also listed the following Saudi service restrictions. They are carrier-specific deadlines to check against a booking, rather than guaranteed resumption dates:
- Flydubai: Riyadh, Dammam and Abha cancellations through October 24.
- Oman Air: Riyadh suspension until October 22.
- KLM: Riyadh and Dammam cancellations through October 31.
- SalamAir: Riyadh and Dammam cancellations until October 31.
- Philippine Airlines: Riyadh flights PR654 and PR655 suspended until November 29.
Delta’s planned Atlanta–Riyadh launch is a separate case: the route has been postponed until March 2027, as we covered in our launch update.
Check the Booking Before Leaving for the Airport
Passengers should review the operating airline’s latest notice, check their flight number and confirm any replacement booking before traveling. A ticket or a flight appearing in a schedule is not, by itself, confirmation that the service will depart.
Etihad says affected customers will receive information about their available options and, where applicable, rebooking the full itinerary. If the journey involves another airline, travelers should confirm that connection separately and keep their booking contact details current.
We previously reported on the airport closure. The reopening changes that position, but the practical test for the next trip remains the same: a confirmed operating flight and a viable onward journey.
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