Riyadh Most Affected as UAE Airlines Cancel Dozens of Flights to Saudi Arabia.
Dubai: Air travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia continues to face significant disruption, with Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai cancelling several flights to Riyadh, Dammam and other destinations across the Kingdom as reported attacks continue to affect Saudi airports.
The disruption was especially widespread on Sunday, October 11, when 56.84 per cent of scheduled departures from Saudi Arabian airports were either cancelled or did not operate, according to figures from aviation analytics company Cirium.
Of the 1,096 flights scheduled to depart from airports across Saudi Arabia that day, 623 were recorded as cancelled or not operated.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport experienced the most extensive disruption, with 353 out of 354 scheduled departures failing to operate, representing 99.72 per cent of planned flights.
The impact extended beyond Riyadh. Cirium data showed that, between October 8 and October 13, approximately 2,018 of the 6,608 scheduled departures across Saudi Arabia were classified as cancelled or not operated, accounting for 30.54 per cent of the total.
The disruption followed reported attacks targeting Riyadh’s international airport. On Sunday, a projectile struck a passenger terminal, just one day after a missile reportedly hit the same terminal, killing 12 people.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for both incidents and other attacks.
UAE Airlines Announce Multiple Flight Cancellations
Emirates
Emirates has cancelled all three of its scheduled Dubai-to-Riyadh flights for October 12 and 13.
Affected Riyadh flights include:
- EK815
- EK819
- EK817
The Dubai-based airline has also cancelled three daily services to Dammam on both dates, affecting flight numbers EK823, EK827 and EK821.
Flights between Dubai and Jeddah have also been impacted, with EK801, EK805 and EK803 cancelled for October 12 and 13.
For services to Medina, Emirates has listed flight EK809 as cancelled on October 12, while EK807 has been cancelled for October 13.
The airline attributed the cancellations to operational reasons and urged affected passengers to review their latest booking details and updated travel itineraries through its official website.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has also announced several cancellations affecting flights between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabian destinations, including Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh, on October 12 and 13.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier cited ongoing regional disruptions as the reason for the changes to its flight operations.
For October 12, the following Abu Dhabi-Dammam services have been cancelled:
- EY575
- EY576
- EY573
- EY574
Etihad Airways has also cancelled four flights operating between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah — EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 — along with four services connecting Abu Dhabi and Riyadh — EY559, EY560, EY555 and EY556.
For October 13, the airline has announced additional cancellations affecting several Saudi routes.
These include:
- Dammam: EY575 and EY576
- Jeddah: EY602, EY603 and EY604
- Riyadh: EY551 and EY552
Etihad warned that the situation remains unpredictable and further adjustments to its flight schedule may be necessary.
The airline encouraged passengers to verify their latest flight information through its official website, etihad.com, before travelling.
Etihad also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to travellers, reiterating that passenger and crew safety, along with their comfort, continues to be its highest priority.
flydubai
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has also suspended several scheduled services connecting Dubai with Dammam and Riyadh on October 12 and 13.
Dubai-Dammam cancellations for both dates include:
- FZ883
- FZ869
- FZ863
- FZ867
Dubai-Riyadh cancellations for October 12 and 13 include:
- FZ847
- FZ841
- FZ855
Despite these disruptions, flydubai stated that its flights from Dubai to Jeddah, AlUla and Neom continue to operate according to their regular schedules.
Passengers have been advised to check their flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, as operational arrangements may change.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also reported disruptions affecting several flights departing from Sharjah to destinations across Saudi Arabia.
The affected services include:
- Sharjah-Abha: G9195 on October 12 and 13
- Sharjah-Gassim: G9070 on October 12
- Sharjah-Riyadh: G9151 and G9154 on October 12 and 13
- Sharjah-Taif: G9187 on October 12
With airline schedules continuing to face uncertainty, passengers are strongly encouraged to confirm their bookings and flight status directly with their respective carriers before leaving for the airport.
Riyadh Airport Experiences the Most Severe Flight Disruptions
Riyadh has emerged as the airport most affected by the ongoing aviation disruptions in Saudi Arabia.
According to Cirium’s figures for Sunday, October 11, 353 of the 354 scheduled departures from King Khalid International Airport were cancelled or did not operate, representing almost the airport’s entire planned departure schedule.
However, the disruption has also extended to several other airports across the Kingdom.
At Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport, 56 of the 123 scheduled departures were cancelled or did not operate, accounting for 45.53 per cent of flights.
Abha Airport recorded 22 affected departures out of 43 scheduled services, while Tabuk experienced 12 cancellations or non-operated flights from a total of 23 planned departures.
Taif Airport also faced substantial disruption, with nine of its 12 scheduled departures cancelled or not operated.
Jeddah experienced comparatively fewer cancellations, although the impact remained significant. Of the 370 flights scheduled to depart, 98 were cancelled or did not operate, representing 26.49 per cent of the total.
Major Saudi Airlines Face Widespread Cancellations
The aviation disruption has also significantly affected Saudi Arabia’s leading airlines, with hundreds of scheduled flights cancelled or not operated across their networks.
According to Cirium data covering October 8 to 11, Saudia recorded 646 affected departures out of 1,546 scheduled flights, representing 41.79 per cent of its planned operations.
Flynas experienced 327 cancellations or non-operated departures from 817 scheduled flights, equivalent to 40.02 per cent.
Flyadeal reported 311 affected services out of 679 scheduled departures, accounting for 45.80 per cent of its operations during the period.
Riyadh Air recorded the highest percentage of affected departures among the major Saudi carriers, with 43 of its 73 scheduled flights cancelled or not operated, representing 58.90 per cent.
On Sunday, October 11 alone, all 17 of Riyadh Air’s scheduled departures were recorded as cancelled or not operated.
These figures highlight how the disruption has expanded beyond international airlines serving Saudi Arabia, affecting the Kingdom’s domestic aviation network and creating widespread uncertainty for passengers travelling within and beyond the country.
IATA Condemns Riyadh Airport Attacks, Calls for Civil Aviation Protection
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strongly denounced the reported attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, emphasising that civilian aviation facilities and personnel must never be subjected to violence.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and extended sympathy to everyone affected by the attacks reported on Saturday, October 10.
Alawadhi condemned the repeated incidents and stressed the importance of protecting civilian air transport operations.
He emphasised that passengers, airport facilities, aircraft and aviation employees must never become targets of attacks under any circumstances.
He further highlighted that safeguarding civil aviation is a fundamental responsibility established under international law and must be respected by all parties involved.
Important Travel Advice for UAE Passengers
Passengers planning to travel from the UAE to Saudi Arabia are strongly advised to confirm their flight status directly with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
Travellers affected by cancellations should follow the instructions provided by their carriers regarding alternative bookings, revised itineraries or other available travel arrangements.
As the regional aviation situation continues to evolve, passengers should avoid depending on previously published schedules or assuming that regularly operated flights will depart as planned.
For Emirates passengers, the airline has advised customers to review their updated travel itineraries through its official website.
Etihad Airways has also encouraged travellers to check the latest flight information before departure to avoid unexpected disruptions.
With flight schedules remaining subject to change, staying informed through official airline communication channels is essential for passengers travelling between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
