Riyadh airport reopens terminals as Air India suspends flights following Houthi warnings
King Khalid International Airport reopened Terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday following a two-week closure, while Indian carriers suspended services to ensure passenger safety.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reopened two of its passenger terminals on Sunday, 25 October, taking its first steps towards restoring regular air services two weeks after a Houthi missile strike forced the facility to shut down.
Terminal 1 is now handling domestic flights, while Terminal 2 has been designated for international flights operated by Saudi national carriers. The airport administration urged passengers holding confirmed bookings to verify flight schedules with their airlines before heading to the terminal buildings.
The partial resumption comes as Indian carriers move swiftly to safeguard passengers, with Air India and Air India Express suspending operations to key Saudi destinations while offering full refunds and free rebooking. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi movement renewed threats against Saudi aviation infrastructure, declaring the capital's main gateway a military target.
Terminal assignments and airport operations
The airport had been closed since 10 October, when a Houthi missile attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, drawing widespread international condemnation.
To ensure orderly travel as operations restart, Saudi aviation authorities restructured terminal traffic:
| Terminal | Designated service | Carriers |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Domestic flights | All domestic operators |
| Terminal 2 | International flights | Saudi national carriers |
Flight suspensions and passenger relief
In response to regional security developments, Indian airlines announced targeted schedule adjustments to prioritise passenger safety:
| Destination | Suspension period | Relief offered |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh and Dammam | Through 7 November 2026 | Free rebooking or full refund |
| Jeddah | Through 31 October 2026 | Free rebooking or full refund |
Houthi security threats
Hours after Riyadh airport announced the terminal reopenings, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a renewed warning on social media, advising international and regional airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using King Khalid International Airport.
Saree stated that the group considers the airport a military target and warned that operations directed at Saudi aviation and energy facilities would continue. The group previously claimed responsibility for strikes targeting King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran Airport, Khamis Mushait Airbase, Aramco facilities in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery, and the East-West oil pipeline.
Saudi authorities have not stated when the remaining terminals at King Khalid International Airport will return to full commercial service.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Casualties in 10 October attack | 13 dead, over 300 wounded | King Khalid International Airport administration |
| Air India suspension for Riyadh and Dammam | Through 7 November 2026 | Air India and Air India Express airline advisory |
| Air India suspension for Jeddah | Through 31 October 2026 | Air India and Air India Express airline advisory |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Riyadh | Capital city of Saudi Arabia where King Khalid International Airport is located. |
| Houthis | Yemen-based group that carried out the previous attack and issued fresh warnings. |
| King Khalid International Airport | The main international airport in Riyadh that reopened terminals 1 and 2. |
