Saudi Arabia reopens Riyadh airport after Houthi missile strikes kill three

The General Authority of Civil Aviation said flights have resumed following attacks that damaged a Saudia aircraft and killed three Saudi citizens.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:08:25 GMT

Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened on Friday after Houthi missile strikes on Thursday killed three Saudi citizens and injured dozens, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said.

What happened

According to GACA, two strikes hit the airport on 8 October. The first strike damaged airport facilities; a second strike hit a Saudia Airlines aircraft, killing three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, and causing material damage. Emergency teams treated the injured and transferred several to hospitals. Air traffic control reported that normal flight operations resumed on Friday.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera noted that the attacks were part of a series of recent Houthi operations targeting Saudi airports, and that a Saudia plane was specifically mentioned as being hit. The Independent reported that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice for Saudi Arabia, urging caution around transport infrastructure after the strikes. It also cited Reuters as confirming that a parked Saudia plane caught fire. Both outlets referenced GACA statements but differed on the level of detail about the casualties: Al Jazeera said three people were killed, while the Independent specified that the victims were Saudi citizens.

What was said

GACA posted on social media that “airport operations have now resumed and air traffic has returned to normal.” The Independent quoted the UK Foreign Office as advising travellers to exercise caution at airports and ports in Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera quoted a Saudia spokesperson saying a pilot was killed and an aircraft was damaged, though the full statement was not reproduced.

How it came about

These attacks follow a pattern of Houthi missile strikes on Saudi aviation hubs. Felo News previously reported on related incidents, including the killing of three foreign nationals in attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports on 7 October (link) and the suspension of flights by several airlines after the 8 October strikes (link). Earlier in September, a Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh was intercepted before reaching the airport (link), highlighting the escalating threat to Saudi air infrastructure.

Key facts

Three Saudi citizens were killed in the attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. (aljazeera.com)
A Saudia Airlines aircraft was damaged by a second strike. (aljazeera.com)
Airport operations resumed on Friday, with normal air traffic restored. (independent.co.uk)
The UK Foreign Office updated travel advice for Saudi Arabia, urging caution at transport hubs. (independent.co.uk)

Where accounts differ

Number and nationality of casualties: Three people were killed; Al Jazeera did not specify nationality. (aljazeera.com); Three Saudi citizens were killed; Independent specified they were Saudi. (independent.co.uk); Three Saudi citizens were killed; Independent reiterated GACA statement without naming nationality. (independent.co.uk)

Timeline

2026-09-20 — Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh intercepted before reaching airport
2026-10-07 — Three foreign nationals killed in Houthi attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports
2026-10-08 — Explosions heard at Riyadh airport; flights halted
2026-10-08 — Second strike damages Saudia aircraft, kills three Saudis