Saudia Airlines confirmed that the captain of Flight 963, a Boeing 787, was among the three fatalities after a missile struck the aircraft's left wing during taxiing—an event that unfolded just minutes before the plane was cleared to depart.
The attacks were part of a broader Houthi offensive that began earlier this month, targeting transport hubs and oil facilities along the Red Sea coast; a missile strike on a refinery south of the capital had already damaged pipelines and forced workers to evacuate.
King Khalid International Airport issued a notice urging passengers to check with airlines before traveling, and 22 flights were cancelled or delayed at the gate, forcing thousands of commuters to scramble for alternate arrangements.
Saudi Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Faisal AlShammari said debris from the missile impacted a kindergarten and a medical complex, though no casualties were reported; the damage prompted the airport to reinforce safety protocols and deploy additional security teams.
Saudia Airlines released a statement expressing "profound sadness" and pledged to investigate the incident with the Civil Aviation Authority, while Riyadh's civil defence agency urged residents to remain vigilant amid ongoing threats.
A regional source told AFP that Riyadh would not accept a truce until Yemen regains all territory it has lost in recent weeks, signalling a hardline stance that could further escalated tensions in the region.