Missile attack on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport kills three, injures 36 and halts flights

On 8 October 2026 a missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing three Saudi citizens and wounding 36 people, while a Saudia Airbus A320 was destroyed on the tarmac.

The attack forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, with Cirium recording 293 canceled or non‑operating movements (about 39 % of scheduled traffic) and Saudia alone canceling 162 flights and delaying 108; other carriers such as flyadeal and flynas also reported dozens of cancellations and delays. Saudi authorities said two ballistic missiles were intercepted, and debris damaged nearby facilities.

Airlines including Lufthansa and Air India suspended services to Riyadh following the incident, and Delta’s planned nonstop service from Atlanta is now uncertain.