The 13th person to die after an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was an Indian national who died from their injuries on Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said.
The airport had been struck on Saturday 10 October, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 300. Black smoke rose from fuel tanks near the airport and flights were temporarily disrupted.
A second attack followed on Sunday, causing further injuries, according to the civil aviation authority. Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts across the kingdom, including in the capital, late Friday and early Saturday. Schools were moved to remote learning for a week because of safety concerns.
Against that backdrop, the Foreign Office on Saturday 17 October advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia.
The warning followed a week after two Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Since 13 July, the group has launched missiles and drones at several locations in Saudi Arabia.
The Foreign Office also advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Yemen and tells British nationals to stay away from King Khalid International Airport.
Its assessment says airports, Saudi military and defence buildings, military bases, ports and energy infrastructure face a heightened threat across the country. It identifies Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu, as well as shipping in the Red Sea. Further attacks on airports, alongside disruption and cancellations, are very likely, it says.
British nationals seeking to leave Saudi Arabia should consider travelling by land to a neighbouring country and flying from there, the Foreign Office said.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for several “targeted” attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the 10 October attack in Riyadh.
Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesman, said the attacks responded to “brutal Saudi aggression against our country and our people”. He claimed Saudi Arabia had carried out 124 airstrikes during the past 24 hours in areas of Yemen controlled by the group.
King Khalid International Airport reopened on Sunday 18 October after a closure of more than a week. Arrivals and departures require prior permission from Saudi aviation authorities.
The reopening has not restored regular traffic. On Tuesday 20 October, 145 departures from Riyadh were cancelled, representing around 24 per cent of the day’s scheduled services.
Riyadh Air and Saudia continue to cancel flights to and from Riyadh, including services to Heathrow. British Airways is currently due to return with a limited service on Tuesday 3 November.
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, Air India, IndiGo and other carriers extended cancellations until at least Saturday 24 October. KLM suspended Riyadh services until the end of the month, while Cathay Pacific suspended its route until the end of January 2027.
On Tuesday 20 October, the UK said RAF Typhoon fighter jets would fly defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from missile and drone attacks.
The disruption has also reached Saudi Arabia’s events calendar. Riyadh Fashion Week, the PIF Saudi International golf tournament and Soundstorm have been cancelled or postponed.
The Future Investment Initiative, which had been scheduled in Riyadh from 26 to 29 October, has postponed its tenth edition until 2027.
The Foreign Office says renewed attacks by Iran remain possible.
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