Riyadh Airport is currently closed to operations following an attack on Saturday afternoon

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation issued an official statement confirming that the airport “was targeted in an attack” amid ongoing assaults on the Kingdom’s civil aviation facilities. Several people were injured, and operations have been temporarily suspended while authorities assess the damage and verify the safety of facilities in coordination with relevant agencies.

This is the third reported incident affecting the airport this week. Earlier attacks killed three Saudi citizens including a pilot and injured others, with damage to facilities and a Saudia aircraft. Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for prior strikes.

Eyewitnesses and reports described a loud blast, evacuation of parts of the airport and more than a dozen ambulances responding.

Flight-tracking data shows high disruption, roughly 40%+ of flights canceled and elevated delays. Inbound flights have been diverted or canceled, with little to no commercial traffic operating. Airlines including Kuwait Airways, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and others have canceled services, citing the security situation; some suspensions extend into the following days.

Western embassies have issued warnings advising citizens to avoid the airport area due to ongoing military activity.