Major Crisis for Air Travel to Saudi Arabia: Should Passengers Fly Now?

Is it advisable to travel to Saudi Arabia given the current situation? Continuous missile and drone attacks have led to the cancellation of most flights at Riyadh Airport.

Conditions in Saudi Arabia are currently far from ideal. Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched missile and drone attacks on several of the country’s airports. The resulting tension is disrupting air travel, making it an unsuitable time to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Air services have been severely disrupted following these missile and drone attacks. On Sunday, October 11, 99.7% of scheduled flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were cancelled.

Flight Cancellations Continued on Monday

According to Cirium, an aviation data analytics company, approximately 60% of flights at Riyadh Airport were expected to be cancelled on Monday as well. Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have targeted key locations in Saudi Arabia. These persistent attacks have raised concerns regarding airport security, impacting international flights. Several airlines, including Air India and Indigo, have cancelled some of their flights.

Impact on Flights from India to Saudi Arabia

Rising tensions in Saudi Arabia have also affected air services between India and the Gulf nations. Notably, several flights operating from airports in Kochi and Calicut, Kerala, have been cancelled. According to Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), some flights bound for Saudi Arabia from Kochi between October 11 and 13 were cancelled. Services from Kochi to Doha and Ras Al Khaimah have also been affected. Meanwhile, reports indicate that a total of 10 flights were cancelled at Kochi Airport, five of which belonged to Akasa Air.

Warnings Issued by Other Nations

In light of the deteriorating situation in Saudi Arabia, the US, the UK, and the European Union have issued security warnings to their citizens and airlines. These advisories urge travelers to exercise caution when using major airports in Saudi Arabia and recommend visiting the country only for essential purposes. The warning remains in effect until December 10.

Riyadh Airport Operations Halted

It is worth noting that Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on Saturday, which resulted in 13 deaths and left over 300 people injured. Following this, operations at Riyadh Airport were suspended. Another attack occurred on Sunday, claiming one life and injuring approximately a dozen people. This marks the fourth such serious incident at the airport within a single week.

Consequently, travelers planning to use this route are advised to proceed with caution and careful consideration. Unless the travel is essential, they might consider postponing their trip for the time being.