Riyadh’s international airport began a cautious return to service on Sunday, reopening for limited flights two weeks after a series of deadly Houthi strikes forced the facility to shut down. The resumption of service comes despite an ongoing security threat, as Saudi authorities reported intercepting a new wave of ballistic missiles targeting the capital on the same day the gates were partially reopened.
The current operational status is restricted, with officials allowing only Saudi carriers to fly from approximately half of the airport’s facilities. International and foreign airlines have yet to resume their schedules to the capital, reflecting a persistent climate of uncertainty regarding the safety of the airspace and the reliability of the facility’s security measures.
The impact of the original strikes, which occurred two weeks ago, was devastating. Official reports confirm that at least 13 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded in those attacks. Over the weekend, Saudi state television aired interviews with survivors who described the ordeal, providing the public with the first personal accounts of the violence that crippled the kingdom’s primary aviation hub.
In response to the closure and the continued threat of aerial bombardment, much of the capital’s air traffic has been diverted to Al Qassim airport, located more than 350 kilometers from Riyadh. This logistical shift includes Riyadh Air, the high-profile airline recently launched and controlled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The carrier has reportedly moved its entire operational base to Al Qassim to maintain service while the capital’s infrastructure remains compromised.
The threat level remains critical. Houthi rebels in Yemen have issued formal vows to continue targeting the airport, and the interception of ballistic missiles on Sunday morning serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Saudi aviation authorities as they attempt to restore regular travel. For now, the airport remains only partially functional, with no clear timeline for when foreign carriers will return or when full capacity will be restored.
