Smoke poured from the tarmac at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after multiple explosions rocked the Saudi capital. Two sources briefed AFP confirmed that at least one plane suffered catastrophic damage, while a second source claimed three aircraft were struck. The Houthis, armed faction in Yemen, publicly claimed responsibility for three separate attacks targeting the airport within hours.
The strikes forced an abrupt halt to commercial aviation in Saudi Arabia's most busy hub. Lufthansa announced it would suspend all flights to Riyadh until October 16, while Air India paused its services until October 10. This disruption hits at a critical time for regional connectivity, leaving thousands of transit passengers stranded and forcing airlines to reroute through Dubai or Doha. The financial implications for the Saudi tourism and logistics sectors are immediate, though the full extent of the infrastructure damage remains unclear.
Videos circulating on social media show thick black smoke billowing from the airport perimeter, with one frame allegedly capturing a burning fuselage on the tarmac. However, AFP could not independently verify these clips. The Houthis have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure across the Gulf in recent months, citing the Saudi-led coalition's role in the Yemen conflict. This latest escalation marks a significant shift from previous attacks on oil facilities, directly threatening the safety of civilian air traffic in the region.
Saudi authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement on the extent of the damage or any casualties among airport staff or passengers. Defense systems were reportedly activated, but the failure to intercept all projectiles highlights vulnerabilities in the country's air defense network. With the Houthis vowing further retaliation, airlines are expected to maintain a cautious stance for at least another week. Passengers with booked itineraries should contact their carriers immediately for rebooking options, as normal operations are unlikely to resume before mid-October.