Etihad cancels Saudi flights through 13 October after Riyadh airport attack

Etihad Airways extended flight cancellations between Abu Dhabi and three Saudi Arabian cities until Tuesday, 13 October, following a security incident at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The suspension affects scheduled services to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam as regional air travel faces significant disruption. Casualties reported at Riyadh airport The disruption follows an attack in Saudi Arabia that killed 12 people and injured 309, according to data provided by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Operations at King Khalid International Airport were temporarily suspended on Sunday, 11 October, to allow for damage assessments and safety inspections. The resulting closure triggered a wave of cancellations across all major UAE carriers, including services from Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Specific Etihad flight cancellations Etihad’s updated advisory lists multiple flight numbers affected through 13 October. On Monday, 12 October, cancelled services include EY575 and EY573 to Dammam, EY601 and EY603 to Jeddah, and EY559 to Riyadh, along with their respective return legs. For Tuesday, 13 October, the airline confirmed the cancellation of EY575 (Dammam), EY603 (Jeddah), and EY551 (Riyadh), among others. The airline stated that further schedule changes are possible depending on the operational status of Saudi airports. Passengers are advised to verify their flight status on the official Etihad website before departing for the airport. The carrier is…