Riyadh Airport Closure Disrupts Flights as Major Airlines Suspend Operations
RIYADH:Several Gulf and international airlines have partially or completely suspended flights to Riyadh amid security concerns following attacks on King Khalid International Airport, disrupting air travel across Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
On Sunday, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-753 from Islamabad to Riyadh was diverted to Dammam. Meanwhile, 28 flights to Riyadh were cancelled from airports across Pakistan.
Several major international airlines have announced temporary suspensions of their Riyadh services. The Lufthansa Group has suspended flights until October 16, SriLankan Airlines until October 18, and Akasa Air until October 13. Air India and Air India Express have suspended their Riyadh flights until October 15.
Other airlines affected by the disruption include Etihad Airways, flydubai, Emirates, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and PIA.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by another 24 hours. According to a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the airport will remain closed until midnight tonight.
Officials said the extension was necessary to assess the airport’s radar and communication systems. Flight operations at Dammam Airport, which had been suspended for six hours, have since resumed.
Aviation sources said the situation surrounding Saudi Arabia’s flight operations remains uncertain. According to the scheduled flight information, 32 flights to Riyadh from various Pakistani airports were cancelled today.
The closure of Riyadh Airport has also significantly affected flight operations at Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam airports. Hundreds of flights have reportedly been cancelled or delayed, causing widespread disruption for passengers travelling to and from Saudi Arabia.
