Three Saudi citizens killed as Houthi attacks damage Saudia plane at Riyadh airport
The attacks on Oct. 8 targeted airport facilities and a Saudia plane, killing three Saudis and injuring dozens, while airlines suspended service to Riyadh.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Three Saudi citizens were killed and a Saudia aircraft was damaged in Houthi‑claimed attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Oct. 8, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said.
What happened
According to GACA, the first strike hit airport infrastructure and the second struck a parked Saudia Airlines plane, causing material damage and a fire. Emergency teams responded immediately, treating the injured and securing the site. The attacks resulted in three deaths – including Saudia captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami – and injuries to a number of Saudi citizens and residents of other nationalities, ranging from minor to serious.
What the reports add
Gulf News reported that the attacks killed three Saudi nationals and that Lufthansa and Air India suspended flights to Riyadh, with Cirium data showing almost half of departures cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday. The Independent added that FlightAware recorded hundreds of cancellations and that Pakistan International Airlines also halted Riyadh services. The Associated Press (via Winnipeg Free Press) echoed GACA’s casualty figures but did not provide airline response details. Khaleej Times identified the deceased pilot by name and noted that Saudia resumed normal operations at the airport by 6 p.m. on Oct. 8.
What was said
Saudia’s statement, cited by Khaleej Times, expressed “deepest condolences” to the family of Captain Alkalthami and praised his contributions to the national carrier. GACA’s spokesperson, quoted by Gulf News, said emergency teams acted “in accordance with established procedures and approved emergency plans.”
How it came about
The attacks follow a series of Houthi‑claimed strikes on Saudi airports, including the missile strike on a Saudia plane reported on Oct. 9 in Felo’s earlier article Houthi missile strike damages Saudia plane and halts Riyadh flights. Earlier incidents on Sep. 20 and Sep. 19 involved intercepted missiles and air‑raid alerts near the same airport, underscoring an escalating pattern of Houthi activity targeting Saudi aviation infrastructure.
Key facts
- Three Saudi citizens, including Saudia captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, were killed in the attacks. (khaleejtimes.com)
- A Saudia aircraft was damaged by a second strike at King Khalid International Airport. (gulfnews.com)
- Lufthansa, Air India, Pakistan International Airlines and other carriers suspended flights to Riyadh. (independent.co.uk)
- Emergency teams responded immediately and treated the injured, with several taken to hospital. (gulfnews.com)
Timeline
- 2026-09-19 — Houthi attacks near Riyadh airport trigger air‑raid alerts and flight cancellations
- 2026-09-20 — Houthi missile intercepted near King Khalid Airport
- 2026-10-08 — Explosions heard at Riyadh airport, later identified as Houthi attacks
- 2026-10-08 — Three Saudi citizens killed and Saudia plane damaged in attacks
