Air India Express, Akasa cancel Riyadh flights after Houthi attack on airport

Which airlines cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, and how long are the cancellations expected to last?

Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air cancelled Riyadh flights because security conditions worsened after the Houthis claimed a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport. The cancellations protect passengers and crews while airport operations and regional security remain uncertain.

Air India Express cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10. IndiGo cancelled its Riyadh flights until October 9, 2026. Akasa cancelled its Kochi-Riyadh and Riyadh-Kochi services scheduled for October 8. These dates are temporary measures, not a permanent withdrawal from the routes.

The airlines said they were monitoring developments and coordinating with authorities. Affected passengers can generally reschedule without extra charges or receive refunds. Travellers should check their airline’s latest flight status before going to the airport, because the situation may change as security assessments develop.

What is King Khalid International Airport, and why is it important to Riyadh?

King Khalid International Airport is the major airport serving Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. It matters because it connects the city with domestic and international destinations and supports travel, trade and daily movement. The article identifies it as Riyadh’s main airport and reports that its operations were affected after a Houthi attack claim.

The airport became central to the story when Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted it with a ballistic missile. Saudi authorities reported one death and eight injuries there. Flight operations were disrupted, prompting airlines to cancel services and contact passengers.

Because the airport is a major transport hub, trouble there can quickly affect travellers, airline schedules and businesses. The article reports that some Riyadh businesses introduced work-from-home measures. Continued disruption would depend on security conditions and decisions by airlines and relevant authorities.

What did the Houthis claim to have targeted, and what is a ballistic missile?

The Houthis claimed they had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the weapon was a ballistic missile and that the strike disrupted airport operations. The claim came amid multiple explosions and heightened security concerns in the Saudi capital.

A ballistic missile is a missile that travels through the atmosphere and then follows a high, arcing trajectory toward its target. It can cover long distances quickly and carry an explosive warhead. This makes any reported use near civilian infrastructure especially serious, even when the precise impact and damage are still being assessed.

Saudi authorities reported that one person was killed and eight injured at King Khalid International Airport. Airlines responded by cancelling Riyadh services. The article reports the Houthis’ claim and the resulting disruption; it does not independently establish every detail of the strike itself.

How many people were reported killed or injured in the attacks on the airports in Riyadh and Abha?

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported three deaths and 36 injuries across attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. These figures show that the attacks affected civilians as well as airport operations. The targeting of civilian facilities prompted condemnation from India.

The reported toll was divided between the two airports. Two people were killed and 28 injured at Abha International Airport. At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, one person was killed and eight injured. The figures were also reported by Al Jazeera in the article.

The casualties increased pressure on airlines and authorities to limit travel. India called attacks on civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable” and expressed condolences. Air services were cancelled or changed while businesses in Riyadh adopted work-from-home measures. Further effects would depend on security developments and airport decisions.

What happens to passengers when an airline cancels a flight because of a security threat?

When an airline cancels a flight because of a security threat, passengers are usually offered a choice between changing their booking and getting their money back. These options reduce the immediate financial and travel impact while the airline avoids operating a route considered unsafe or uncertain.

Air India Express offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund for cancelled Riyadh bookings. IndiGo said affected customers could use its Plan B for complimentary rescheduling or a full refund. Akasa offered a full refund to the original payment source within seven days, or rescheduling without an extra charge.

Passengers still need to check the exact process with their airline. IndiGo advised customers to check flight status or contact customer support before going to the airport. The available dates and options may differ because each airline announced its own cancellation period and procedures.

Why can an attack or threat at one airport disrupt flights, businesses, and daily life across an entire city?

An attack or credible threat at a major airport creates a chain reaction. Authorities may restrict operations, airlines may cancel flights, and travellers may avoid the area. Since airports connect cities to workers, visitors, goods and services, disruption can quickly affect more than aviation.

In Riyadh, the Houthi claim followed multiple reported explosions and affected operations at King Khalid International Airport. Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa cancelled flights. The airlines contacted passengers, offered refunds or changes, and advised travellers to check status before leaving for the airport.

The effects reached businesses and public life. Reuters reported that some Riyadh businesses introduced work-from-home measures. The article also says schools were on alert in a related headline, but gives no further details. If security concerns continue, more flights, workplaces and daily plans could be disrupted.

Who are Yemen's Houthis, and why are they involved in conflict with Saudi Arabia?

The Houthis are a Yemen-based rebel movement, also known as Ansar Allah. In this article, they are described as Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile.

The article does not explain why the Houthis are fighting Saudi Arabia. Established background is that the Houthis became a major force in Yemen’s civil war, while Saudi Arabia led a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government. That conflict created a broader Saudi-Houthi confrontation, including attacks across borders.

The immediate result described here was disruption at two Saudi airports, with deaths and injuries reported. Saudi authorities said a coalition destroyed 82 Houthi military targets in four Yemeni provinces afterward. The article gives no forecast for the conflict, but airlines are monitoring security and limiting Riyadh services.

Key Facts:

📌 Air India Express cancelled Riyadh flights until October 10.

📌 IndiGo suspended Riyadh flights until October 9, 2026.

📌 Akasa cancelled Kochi-Riyadh flights scheduled for October 8.

📌 King Khalid International Airport is Riyadh’s main airport.

📌 Flight operations were affected after a Houthi attack claim.

📌 One person died and eight were injured at the airport.

📌 The Houthis claimed they targeted King Khalid International Airport.