On 6 October 2026, Houthi forces launched a coordinated barrage of missiles and drones against Saudi infrastructure. The strikes hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in the southwest. The attacks resulted in three deaths and thirty‑six injuries. The violence is framed within the broader Yemen conflict, which saw a major escalation in 2015 when the Saudi‑led coalition intervened against the Houthi movement.
Following the strikes, the Saudi‑led coalition reported that it had intercepted a number of ballistic missiles aimed at the kingdom. Houthi spokespersons, however, continued to issue threats against Saudi energy and aviation facilities, signalling that further attacks remained a possibility. The environment of persistent risk created a security dilemma for airlines operating into the kingdom.
⚠️ Riyadh Airport is closed again. No flights have landed or taken off in the past hour. So far today, 124 flights have been cancelled. https://t.co/oIzLAYAQFO
Three days after the attacks, on 9 October 2026, Pakistan International Airlines announced that it was temporarily suspending all flight operations to Riyadh. The airline cited the recent Houthi‑led missile and drone activity as the reason for the precautionary measure. As part of the suspension, PIA confirmed the cancellation of specific flights, namely PK‑753 and PK‑754, and told passengers to verify the status of any booked travel through its call centre.
The notice from PIA described the action as temporary, without providing a specific date for resumption.
In its statement, PIA apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers by the situation. The carrier urged travellers to stay in touch with its customer service line for updates and re‑booking options, emphasizing that the suspension was intended to protect safety rather than reflect a permanent change in service.
🇵🇰🇸🇦 BREAKING! Pakistan Suspends Flights to Riyadh Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, citing the deteriorating regional security situation.
The notice from PIA described the action as temporary, without providing a specific date for resumption. The airline did not announce alternative routings or compensatory measures beyond the standard passenger assistance procedures. The suspension applied to all flights destined for Riyadh, indicating a blanket pause on the Pakistan‑Saudi aviation link until the security outlook improved.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree publicly claimed responsibility for the targeting of King Khalid International Airport. His statement underscored the group’s strategy of striking Saudi aviation and energy assets to exert pressure on the kingdom and its allies. The claim aligns with the brief’s record of Houthi threats against such facilities and adds a layer of attribution to the attacks that prompted PIA’s response.
PIA SUSPENDS FLIGHTS TO RIYADH AIRPORT Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended all flights to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport with immediate effect. The move comes amid heightened security concerns following attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/aCiH98WF1J
The airline continues to monitor the security situation in the region and has advised passengers to check flight statuses directly with its call centre.
