The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia announced that operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh will stay suspended. The decision came after a series of attacks on the airport over the weekend. Officials said they are conducting safety inspections and assessing any damage before they consider allowing flights to resume. No date for reopening has been given.
A Houthi strike hit the airport on May 18, 2024. The next day, May 19, a projectile struck Terminal 4 of the same facility. On May 20, the aviation authority confirmed that the suspension of operations had been extended. These three dates mark the sequence of events that led to the ongoing closure.
BREAKING: Riyadh airport extends suspension of operations: civil aviation authority
One person was killed and eleven others were injured in the attack that involved a projectile hitting Terminal 4.
After the attacks, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said it is carrying out safety inspections and assessing damage to the airport facilities.
The Saturday attack, occurring on May 18, resulted in twelve deaths and 309 injuries. This was a major attack on the airport. The coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen reported that a projectile struck Terminal 4 and that a cruise missile was intercepted nearby.
RIYADH AIRPORT EXTENDS SUSPENSION AFTER DEADLY HOUTHI ATTACKS - AFP
After the attacks, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said it is carrying out safety inspections and assessing damage to the airport facilities. The goal is to ensure the site is secure before any decision to lift the suspension is made.
Throughout the statements, officials have not offered a timeline for when flights might resume at King Khalid International Airport. The suspension remains in effect until further notice, pending the outcome of the safety review.
Saudi Arabia extends suspension of operations at Riyadh airport.
The stances of the three main actors are distinct: the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen is described as supportive of the actions taken against the Houthi strikes; the General Authority of Civil Aviation is neutral; and the Houthi movement is characterized as critical, reflecting its role in launching the attacks.
As of the latest update, King Khalid International Airport remains closed to commercial traffic while authorities complete their safety assessment. The suspension, initiated after the weekend attacks, continues without a announced end date.