Flight disruptions across Saudi Arabia have intensified, with nearly 1,500 cancellation listings recorded at three major airports over Sunday and Monday, affecting international connections and religious travel.
Image used for illustrative pirposes/By: NurPhoto/Getty Images
According to Gulf Business, data from flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 showed hundreds of cancellations at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports on Monday morning, following a series of deadly attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport recorded 436 cancellations, accounting for 64% of scheduled services. Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reported 115 cancellations, while Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport recorded 63.
The disruption was more severe on Sunday, when Riyadh recorded 655 cancellations, representing 98% of scheduled flights. Jeddah reported 158 cancellations and 393 delays, while Dammam recorded 58 cancellations and 115 delays.
Combined, the three airports recorded 871 cancellation listings on Sunday and a further 614 on Monday. These figures may include some overlap involving connecting flights.
Umrah pilgrims among affected travellers
The disruption has also affected religious travel, with Umrah pilgrims among those caught up in the cancellations.
Gulf Business reported that approximately 500 Bangladeshi passengers were stranded in Riyadh following an attack, according to Bangladesh’s expatriates’ welfare ministry.
Saudi authorities have also reported further attacks affecting airport infrastructure, including Riyadh’s Terminal 4 and Dammam airport. Safety inspections and damage assessments were under way.
Travellers planning to visit Saudi Arabia are advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest information on departures, cancellations and rebooking arrangements.
Airlines extend cancellations on Saudi routes
The disruption has spread to international services linking Saudi Arabia with the United Arab Emirates and other destinations.
According to Gulf Business, Etihad Airways cancelled selected flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam through Tuesday, 13 October.
Emirates also cancelled selected services between Dubai and Saudi destinations, while flydubai extended cancellations on its Riyadh routes until 14 October.
Lufthansa Group had suspended Riyadh services through 16 October, while several Indian airlines had also cancelled flights.
Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Dubai arranged bus transport for Saudi citizens stranded in the UAE following the flight disruptions.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has also issued a safety advisory urging US operators to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, citing military activity and potential interference with navigation systems.
Travellers with upcoming flights to Saudi Arabia or connecting through its airports should monitor airline updates and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Source: Gulf Business, Almost 1,500 flights cancelled across Saudi Arabia as attacks disrupt travel
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