Flydubai extends Saudi flight suspensions to 29 October as Houthi strikes persist
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
Flydubai has again prolonged its flight cancellations to three Saudi Arabian cities, with services to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha now suspended until 29 October, as ongoing Houthi attacks on airports in the kingdom continue to disrupt regional aviation.
The Dubai-based low-cost carrier had previously halted flights to those destinations through 24 October. The latest extension adds five more days to the suspension.
Airline cites ongoing disruption
In a statement updated on Friday, a flydubai spokesperson said the airline expects further interruptions to its scheduled operations in Saudi Arabia.
“Due to the ongoing situation, we expect some disruption to our scheduled operations to Saudi Arabia. Flights to a number of destinations in the Kingdom, including Abha, Dammam and Riyadh, have been cancelled up to and including 29 October,” the spokesperson said.
The airline said it continues to monitor the situation closely and will inform customers via its official channels about any changes. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status regularly and ensure their contact details are current.
Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports
The extension comes amid persistent security concerns in Saudi Arabia after repeated strikes by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group on airports and other targets. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a missile fired towards Riyadh.
The latest disruptions follow an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on 21 October that killed two people — a Saudi citizen and an Indian resident — and injured eight others, according to Saudi aviation authorities. Airport operations later resumed.
Earlier attacks also affected King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha airport, prompting airlines to cancel services and authorities to issue security warnings.
Thousands of flights affected
According to an earlier report by Khaleej Times citing aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 4,000 scheduled departures from Saudi Arabia were cancelled or did not operate between 8 and 15 October.
That figure represented about 46 percent of the 8,883 departures scheduled during the eight-day period. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was among the worst affected.
On 15 October alone, 298 of the 366 scheduled departures from Riyadh were affected, accounting for more than 81 percent of the airport’s departures that day.
Flydubai has extended its cancellations several times since the disruptions began. On 19 October, the airline announced that flights to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh would remain cancelled until 24 October.
Other international carriers have also adjusted their Saudi operations. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways previously announced cancellations affecting services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, while India’s IndiGo extended its Saudi flight cancellations.
