Missile attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport cause deaths, injuries and flight

On 10 October 2026 a missile strike hit Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing at least 12 people and injuring 309 according to Saudi authorities, while other reports cited three Saudi citizens killed and 36 injured.

All airport operations were halted immediately and a flight ban was extended until at least midnight on 12 October 2026; the disruption led to 293 cancelled or non‑operating flights on the day, representing about 39 % of scheduled movements, and Saudia alone cancelled 162 flights and delayed 108. Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines also adjusted or suspended services.

Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its nonstop Atlanta‑Riyadh service until March 2027, citing the attacks, and the U.S. FAA issued an advisory urging operators to exercise caution in the region through 10 December 2026.