- Airlines cancelled flights to Riyadh after Houthi attacks
- More than 40pc of scheduled departures affected
- Lufthansa and Air India suspended services
- EASA advised carriers to bypass Saudi airspace
- Three people died and a Saudia aircraft was damaged
Airlines have cancelled flights to Riyadh after Houthi attacks on Saudi airports. King Khalid International Airport experienced major operational problems. More than 40pc of scheduled departures were affected. Airport operator DAA International (formerly Aer Rianta) manages Terminal 5 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh,
Saudia, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways were among those impacted. Lufthansa and Air India suspended services for several days. Authorities reported interceptions and debris damage. Three Saudi nationals died and a commercial aircraft was damaged. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for cruise and ballistic missiles.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended safety warnings and advised international carriers to bypass Saudi airspace. OPSGROUP issued an advisory against flying over the kingdom. The Houthis declared Saudi airspace a theatre of operations and threatened reprisals against international airlines. Singapore Airlines delayed the start of its flights while Philippine Airlines, Saudia, and Egyptair suspended operations.
