Riyadh Airport Reopening Update and Dammam Flight Status: October 2026

Published: 18 October 2026
Last checked: 18 October 2026
By: Al Hamdan Travel & Holidays

Travellers planning to fly to or from Saudi Arabia are looking for the latest Riyadh airport reopening update and Dammam airport flight status. Operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were suspended following attacks in October, while Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport also faced a security incident and flight disruptions.

As of 18 October 2026, the previously reported deadline for Riyadh’s suspension has passed, but the sources reviewed do not establish a definitive official reopening time or confirm that all flights have returned to normal. Dammam has recorded flight activity, although cancellations and delays continue to affect some services.

Important: Airport status and individual flight status can change quickly. Passengers should confirm their own flight directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.

Latest Riyadh and Dammam Airport Updates

Riyadh Airport Reopening Status

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) was targeted in two attacks on 8 October 2026, according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The authority said the incidents caused casualties and property damage. Its initial statement on 9 October said airport operations had resumed.

Following further attacks, GACA announced on 12 October that the suspension of operations at Riyadh Airport had been extended while authorities checked the safety of airport facilities and their operational readiness. The announcement did not specify a final reopening date.

A published aviation notice reported by Wego set the suspension deadline at 21:00 UTC on 17 October, which was midnight at the start of 18 October in Saudi Arabia.

That deadline has now passed. However, the expiry of a notice does not, by itself, confirm that every airport operation has resumed. Third-party airport monitoring on 18 October indicated severe disruption and reported flight activity, but a definitive official GACA reopening announcement was not established in the sources reviewed for this update.

Saudi air defenses say they shot down a Houthi-launched drone over Riyadh’s King Khalid airport late on Saturday; no injuries or damage were reported.

For context, Riyadh’s airport has been hit repeatedly this month, with Houthi strikes killing about 17 people and wounding hundreds. Last night’s drone was intercepted just before it reached the airport, Saudi coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said. No group immediately claimed responsibility, though the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have earlier warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace and have acknowledged previous airport attacks. In response to the earlier strikes, the airport had been closed for inspection and hundreds of flights were canceled; Western carriers and aviation regulators have since advised caution or rerouted routes over Saudi Arabia, underscoring growing security risks to civil aviation.

Sources: Saudi/coalition statements and reports in Reuters and Xinhua.

How long will Riyadh Airport stay closed?

There is no reliable basis to give a confirmed number of additional closure days. The reported deadline was 17 October, but passengers should not treat that date as proof of a full return to normal operations. Check the latest official airport information and your airline’s flight status before travelling.

Sources:

Dammam Airport Status and Flight Disruptions

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (DMM) was targeted on the evening of 11 October 2026, according to GACA’s statement published by SPA. Authorities said they were assessing damage and carrying out safety inspections.

Reports available on 14 October stated that Dammam had not received a formal airport closure notice from GACA, although airlines had cancelled or suspended some services. Flight-tracking information for 18 October also showed departures taking place alongside cancellations and delays.

This means that flight disruption at Dammam should not automatically be described as a complete airport closure. Individual services may be affected differently, depending on the airline, route and current operational conditions.

Is Dammam Airport closed, and when will it reopen?

The sources reviewed do not establish an official full-closure period or a confirmed reopening date for Dammam Airport. Available flight information indicates that some operations are taking place, but disruption remains possible. Passengers must check their specific flight with the airline.

Sources:

Why Were Riyadh Airport Operations Suspended?

Saudi authorities reported attacks on civil aviation facilities in October. GACA said the incidents at Riyadh Airport caused casualties and damage, and authorities needed to assess facilities and verify their safety and operational readiness.

The suspension was therefore linked to security and safety checks. GACA’s 12 October announcement extended the suspension but did not provide a confirmed reopening date.

The incident at Dammam Airport on 11 October also led to damage assessments and safety inspections, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Passengers should rely on official announcements for confirmed information about airport safety and operational decisions.

Which Airlines Have Reported Cancellations or Suspensions?

Several international airlines changed their Saudi Arabia schedules during the disruption. Reuters reported on 12 October that airlines including Air France-KLM, Air India, Akasa Air, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Qatar Airways had adjusted services to Saudi Arabia.

The length of each airline’s suspension varied. Some cancellations applied only to particular dates or routes, while some schedule changes extended beyond the reported Riyadh airport suspension deadline.

These reports are dated and should not be treated as a live list of every airline’s current operations.

Before travelling, check:

Your airline’s official flight-status page.
Any SMS, email or app notification sent about your booking.
Whether your flight number, departure time or route has changed.
Whether the airline has offered rebooking or refund options.

Source: Reuters: Airlines cancel flights to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh airport attacks

Are Flights Between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Affected?

Passengers travelling between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should check their exact flights rather than assume that all services are cancelled or operating normally.

The situation can differ between Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and other destinations. An airline may operate one route while cancelling another, and its international services may follow a different schedule from its domestic flights.

If you are travelling from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Sialkot or another Pakistani airport, confirm the departure airport, destination, flight number and travel date with your airline before leaving home.

Do not book a replacement ticket or travel to another airport based only on an unconfirmed social media post. First ask the airline or your travel agent to verify the available options.

How to Check Your Flight Before Travelling

Follow these steps to avoid unnecessary travel and confusion:

Open your airline’s official website or mobile application.
Enter your booking reference or flight number, where available.
Check the flight status for your exact date of travel.
Review messages from the airline for cancellations, schedule changes or rebooking instructions.
Check the relevant airport’s official information.
Check again before leaving for the airport, because the situation may change.

Useful official airport websites:

A flight tracker can provide additional information, but the airline should be your main source for confirming whether you can travel on your booked flight.

What Should Passengers Do If Their Flight Is Cancelled?

If your flight has been cancelled or changed:

Contact the airline or your travel agent using the official contact details.
Ask whether you can rebook, change your travel date or request a refund under the applicable fare conditions and airline policy.
Keep your ticket, booking reference and cancellation notification.
Do not purchase another ticket until you understand your existing booking options.
If you are travelling for Umrah, work, business or a family visit, check whether the change affects your hotel, visa validity or other travel arrangements.

Passengers should confirm all changes directly with the airline before making additional travel plans.

Final Update for Travellers

As of 18 October 2026, the available evidence does not establish a definitive official reopening time for Riyadh Airport or a confirmed full-closure period for Dammam Airport. Riyadh’s previously reported suspension deadline has passed, while Dammam flight information shows both operating services and disruption.

The safest step is to confirm your flight directly with your airline before travelling. Do not rely on an expected reopening date as confirmation that your individual flight will operate.

For booking assistance and travel enquiries, contact Al Hamdan Travel & Holidays through our website.

Editorial note: This article reflects information available during research on 18 October 2026. Airport and airline operations can change without notice. Update this article when an official GACA or airport announcement confirms a change in status.

Riyadh Airport Reopening Update & Dammam Flight Status