Houthi missile strike ignites Saudia jet at Riyadh airport, kills three and halts flights

A Saudia Airbus A320 caught fire while parked at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 8 October 2026 after shrapnel from a missile or interceptor struck it, and the aircraft is likely a hull loss; the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile at the airport, and three people were killed with 36 injured across Riyadh and Abha airports.

The attack led to the cancellation of more than 275 flights at Riyadh, representing about 40 % of scheduled arrivals and 30 % of departures, while Cirium recorded 293 canceled or non‑operating flights, roughly 39 % of scheduled movements; Saudia alone canceled 162 flights and delayed 108, and low‑cost carriers flyadeal and flynas also reported dozens of cancellations and delays.

Lufthansa and Air India announced suspension of all flights to Riyadh, with Lufthansa extending the suspension through 16 October, and other carriers such as Delta and IndiGo face uncertainty over planned services.