On 2026-10-09, Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The strike hit the airfield and caused damage to a Saudi national airline aircraft that was parked on the tarmac.
Reports from the scene indicated that eight people were injured in the blast and its aftermath. Earlier strikes carried out by the same group had already resulted in at least one fatality and several injuries, underscoring a pattern of violence that has increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure in the kingdom.
In response to the deteriorating security environment, Pakistan International Airlines announced on the same day that it would temporarily suspend its flight operations to Riyadh. The airline’s statement, rendered in Urdu, explained that "In view of the situation in the Middle East, PIA has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh." The suspension was described as a precautionary measure aimed at protecting passengers, crew, and aircraft while the situation remains volatile. Travelers holding tickets for the affected routes were advised to contact the airline’s call centre for rebooking or refund options.
He called for an immediate cessation of Houthi hostilities and urged the international community to take concrete steps to de‑escalate the conflict in the region.
PIA was not the only airline to react. Other international carriers, including Air India, also suspended or canceled flights to the Saudi capital following the attack. The coordinated response reflects a broader industry practice of rerouting or pausing service when airports come under direct threat.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly condemned the missile strikes, describing them as an unacceptable escalation that endangers civilian lives and disrupts vital air links. He called for an immediate cessation of Houthi hostilities and urged the international community to take concrete steps to de‑escalate the conflict in the region.
For those whose plans have been disrupted, PIA has made its call centre available at the number 111-786-786. Agents there can assist with rebooking on alternative routes, processing refunds, or providing updates on when service to Riyadh might resume. The airline emphasized that the suspension is temporary and will be lifted as soon as security conditions permit a safe return to normal operations.