Missile attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport trigger widespread flight cancellations

On 10 October 2026 a missile strike hit Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 12 people and injuring 309, according to travelnews.co.za and aerotime.aero, while other reports cite three fatalities and 36 injuries.

The attack led GACA to suspend all operations at the airport, a ban that was extended through 12 October, and caused 330 flight cancellations on 11 October, including services by Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines; Cirium recorded 293 canceled or non‑operating flights, about 39 % of scheduled movements, and Saudia alone cancelled 162 flights and delayed 108.

Delta Air Lines has postponed its planned nonstop Atlanta‑Riyadh service until March 2027 because of the attacks.