UAE airlines cancel Riyadh flights after deadly airport attack kills 12 civilians

A fatal drone and missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has left 12 people dead and more than 300 injured, triggering a massive disruption to regional aviation and a sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict. The strike, which occurred on Saturday, 10 October, has forced the suspension of operations at Saudi Arabia’s primary aviation hub and prompted Houthi rebels to issue a fresh warning against using the kingdom's airspace. Aviation hubs paralyzed by safety fears Major UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai have cancelled or rerouted flights to the Saudi capital. flydubai confirmed on Sunday, 11 October, that all services to Riyadh are suspended until at least 14 October. Etihad Airways has extended its cancellations to include selected flights to Dammam and Jeddah until 13 October, affecting flight numbers EY573 through EY576 and EY601 through EY604. Air traffic monitor Flightradar24 reported that the closure of Riyadh Airport has been extended until 21:00 UTC on Sunday. The Saudi embassy in Kuwait has begun organising emergency bus transport for citizens stranded by flight cancellations, provided they can show proof of booking. Kuwait Airways also confirmed the suspension of its Riyadh operations on Sunday, citing the temporary closure of the facility by Saudi authorities. Houthis threaten further airport strikes Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree issued a statement on X on Sunday, 11 October, declaring Saudi airports and…