Riyadh has started reopening flight services again, is it safe for tourists?

Travellers planning trips to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are advised to re-check their flight schedules and ticket status prior to departure. King Khalid International Airport has resumed partial flight operations on Sunday, 25 October 2026, after being shut down for approximately two weeks following attacks launched by Yemen's Houthi group.

While flight services have begun restarting, this airport reopening does not mean all operations have returned to normal. Only two terminals are currently back in use, and there has been no official announcement regarding full restoration of operational capacity.

This development is critical information for passengers travelling for Business, family visits, or transiting through Riyadh, and should be reviewed before confirming departure times.

Two Terminals Resume Flight Operations

National broadcaster Al Arabiya confirmed the resumption of flight activity, broadcasting footage from the two reopened terminals. Meanwhile, state-owned television channel AlEkhbariya stated that Terminal 1 has reopened for Domestic Flights, while Terminal 2 is being used for International Flights operated by Saudi-based airlines.

This limited reopening was carried out following coordination between the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), security agencies, and technical teams. This measure is intended to verify facility readiness, as well as compliance with safety standards and Aviation Security protocols.

However, there is still no confirmed timeline for when all terminals and full flight capacity at King Khalid International Airport will return to normal operations.

Airport management first announced on Saturday 24 October that these two terminals would be activated for domestic and international services. Passengers holding confirmed tickets are requested to contact their respective airlines to verify reservation status and flight schedules before arriving at the airport.

Why should travellers check their schedules in advance?
The partial reopening of terminals does not guarantee that all flights will operate according to their original timetables. Under these circumstances, passengers should anticipate adjusted departure times, modified routes, and updated Airline policies.

Before travelling to the airport, travellers are recommended to take the following steps:

• Check flight status via the official website or mobile application of your airline.
• Contact your airline or Travel agent to confirm that your tickets and schedule remain valid.
• Monitor official airport announcements and Travel Safety updates from relevant authorities.
• Review policies regarding schedule changes, cancellations, and refunds in the event your journey is disrupted.
• These precautions are particularly important for passengers with connecting flights, tight travel itineraries, or non-flexible hotel bookings.

Security Threats Remain An Ongoing Concern

Flight operations at King Khalid International Airport were initially suspended following the Houthi attack on 10 October. This attack was reported to have killed 13 people and left over 300 others injured.

As partial services resumed, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree reissued a warning advising airlines, airport staff, and passengers against using the facility.

"This airport is unsafe, it remains a military target for our forces", Saree stated in an official release.

He also confirmed that the group will continue operations targeting this public facility. Saree emphasised that Saudi Arabian authorities bear full responsibility for the decision to reopen the airport, as well as any potential consequences that may arise.

This warning indicates that the resumption of flight services is taking place against an unresolved security situation that requires close monitoring. That said, statements from the Houthi group do not constitute a full official assessment of security conditions across all of Saudi Arabia.

Yemen Conflict And Impacts On Travel

The Houthi group has held control over Yemen's capital Sanaa and large parts of the country since 2014. Fighting erupted again between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces in July, after a ceasefire agreement enforced since 2022 fully collapsed.

Beyond aviation facilities, the Houthi group has also repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia. Travellers planning visits to this region are advised to monitor developments in this ongoing conflict.

For travellers, decisions to travel should not be based solely on news that the airport has reopened. Always confirm flight information directly from official airline and authority sources, review the latest travel advisories, and prepare backup plans in case schedules are altered.

For the time being, the reopening of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 marks the first step towards restoring services at King Khalid International Airport. Until further official announcements are issued, all passengers are still required to verify their individual flight status before travelling.