Lufthansa Group, Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have suspended flights to and from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following explosions in the Saudi capital. Lufthansa announced a suspension of flights through October 16, 2026. Air India and Akasa Air have halted services until October 10, while IndiGo’s suspension lasts through October 9.
Explosions at Riyadh Airport Trigger Flight Disruptions
On October 8, 2026, a large blast was reported at Riyadh’s international airport, leading to a temporary closure. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 recorded the airport’s last landing more than 80 minutes before closure and the last takeoff over 90 minutes earlier that day. Explosions and subsequent
safety concerns prompted the airport to suspend operations for a period.
Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Missile Attacks
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for attacking the Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile, although no evidence was released. Their military spokesman stated the group fired additional ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and Najran airports, resulting in flight disruptions. Saudi authorities have not publicly verified the claims.
Flight Cancellations and Operational Impact
Flight monitoring service FlightAware reported over 275 flight cancellations at King Khalid International Airport on October 8, 2026. These cancellations represented approximately 40% of scheduled arrivals and 30% of scheduled departures for that day. The widespread suspensions affected the
operational schedules of several airlines, notably Lufthansa, Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air.
Air India returned a scheduled flight from Delhi to Riyadh on October 8 and subsequently canceled all flights to and from the Saudi capital until October 10. Akasa Air announced a suspension of Riyadh services through October 10, while IndiGo’s cancellations are valid through October 9. Lufthansa Group has extended its suspension through October 16.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the suspension of flights by multiple Indian carriers. Passengers with bookings on affected routes face cancellations for the coming days as airlines prioritize safety amid the
evolving situation in the region.
Lufthansa Group cited “current developments in the Middle East” as the reason for suspending flights. Air India stated it is “closely monitoring the situation” and has halted operations “in the interest of safety.” Akasa Air and IndiGo have similarly suspended services pending further updates.
