Riyadh: Explosions reported at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh have disrupted air traffic in Saudi Arabia, prompting several Indian and international airlines to suspend flights amid growing security concerns following attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement.
The Houthi group claimed responsibility for an attack on Riyadh airport on Thursday, October 8, saying it had used a ballistic missile. However, Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the claim, and the circumstances surrounding the latest incident remained unclear.
Witnesses reported hearing explosions in Riyadh and seeing smoke at the airport. Emergency crews responded to the incident, while passengers were reportedly evacuated from parts of the airport. Departing flights were disrupted as airport operations were affected.
Reuters reported that a parked aircraft belonging to Saudi airline Saudia was badly damaged after catching fire at the airport. The circumstances surrounding the damage had not been officially confirmed.
The disruption has affected passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly those using Riyadh as a destination or transit point. Several airlines have cancelled services, leaving passengers uncertain about their travel plans.
IndiGo suspended flights to and from Riyadh through Friday, October 9, according to notices reported on Thursday. Air India and Akasa Air also announced cancellations through Saturday, October 10. Lufthansa Group suspended flights to Riyadh through October 16. Passengers should check directly with their airlines for the latest operating status, as these suspension periods may change.
Air India experienced disruption to a flight travelling from Delhi to Riyadh on Thursday, with the aircraft returning to Delhi. Akasa Air also cancelled two scheduled services, according to reports.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh communicated information about the flight suspensions to passengers. Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia should follow the latest official embassy advisories and contact their airlines for information about rescheduled flights, refunds and alternative travel arrangements.
The latest incident follows attacks reported at airports in Riyadh and Abha on Wednesday, October 7. Those earlier attacks left three people dead and 36 others injured, according to reports citing Saudi officials.
At Abha airport, two people, identified as Moroccan and Algerian residents, were killed and 28 others were wounded. At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, one Sudanese national was killed and eight others were injured.
These casualty figures relate to the October 7 attacks and should not be confused with the separate incident reported on October 8. The reports reviewed did not establish an additional death toll from Thursday's incident.
The attacks come amid renewed fighting in Yemen, where forces backed by Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni groups have been involved in operations against the Houthis. The conflict has affected several parts of the country, including areas along the western Red Sea coast.
The region also includes the strategically important Bab el Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major route for international shipping. Continued instability has raised concerns about the security of transport routes and the wider impact of the conflict.
The immediate concern for travellers remains the disruption to flights and uncertainty over airport operations. Passengers travelling to or from Saudi Arabia should confirm their flight status with their airlines before leaving for the airport and follow official safety guidance. Further information about the latest incident, the reported aircraft damage and the duration of the flight suspensions will depend on updated statements from Saudi authorities, airlines and other relevant officials.