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Riyadh reopens, disruptions continue
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has reopened after a temporary suspension, but many scheduled services remain cancelled. Carriers including Etihad, and others reported in regional coverage, have extended suspensions or cancelled flights, leaving routes to Saudi Arabia operating at reduced capacity.
What changed and why it matters
The restart of airport operations marks a step toward normalising traffic, but the continued cancellations mean that reopening has not restored regular service. Several airlines have extended cancellations through October 24, and reporting shows route gaps across the Gulf and wider region — a reminder that a reopened airport does not automatically mean flights are running as booked.
Who has been affected
Regional reporting cites thousands of disrupted travellers: one outlet put the tally of affected passengers at 16,620, and others reported more than 19,000 passengers from Dhaka impacted by earlier disruptions. Passengers across multiple carriers and nationalities remain exposed to delays, cancellations and rebooking needs.
Security alerts and traveller advice
At the same time, the US government has issued warnings about potential airport attack risks in Saudi Arabia and urged travellers to check their flights. Given both operational and security uncertainty, travellers should verify their flight status with their airline before travel, monitor government travel advisories, and be prepared for last‑minute changes.
What to check next
Before heading to the airport, passengers should: confirm the latest flight status directly with their carrier, review any rebooking or refund notices issued by the airline, check official airport messages, and follow travel‑advice updates from their government. If travel is time‑sensitive, consider alternative routing or postponement until services stabilise.
Original source links: The National, The Daily Star, Gulf News, Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.