Gulf aviation alert · Updated 19 October 2026
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has reopened, but reopening the airport does not mean every airline has restarted service. Etihad’s current notice now cancels Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh, Dammam and selected Jeddah services through Saturday 24 October. Other airlines have different suspension dates, making the operating carrier—not the original booking screen—the decisive source for each passenger.
| Airport | King Khalid International Airport is open |
|---|---|
| Etihad | Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled through 24 October |
| Etihad Jeddah | EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 cancelled through 24 October |
| Other suspensions | Dates vary by airline, route and city |
| Before travel | Confirm the exact flight with the operating airline |
Open airport, uneven airline return
Airport operations can resume while individual carriers keep flights suspended for security, aircraft-positioning, crew or network reasons. The National reported that Riyadh reopened on 18 October, yet airlines were returning on different timetables. A passenger should therefore never treat “airport open” as confirmation that a particular flight will operate.
Etihad has extended its cancellations
Etihad’s live travel update states that all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh and Abu Dhabi–Dammam flights are cancelled through Saturday 24 October. Four Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services — EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 — are also cancelled through that date. The airline warns that the situation remains dynamic and further changes are possible.
Other airlines have different dates
The latest published schedules show a patchwork: Oman Air suspended Riyadh flights through 22 October; Air France through 24 October; KLM through 31 October; Lufthansa through 18 November; and some carriers announced no firm return date. These dates can be amended again, so use them as a reason to verify, not as a guarantee.
Connections, baggage and separate tickets
Check every flight segment separately, especially a Gulf connection involving Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abu Dhabi or Dubai. If two segments are on separate tickets, one airline may not protect the other. Ask for written confirmation of the new route, baggage handling and hotel or meal support before accepting a complex rebooking.
What to do before going to the airport
Open the operating airline’s flight-status page using the flight number and date, then check email and SMS. Update contact details in the booking. If cancelled, use the airline or issuing travel agent for rebooking before buying an expensive replacement. Keep cancellation notices and reasonable-expense receipts, and do not travel to the airport without a confirmed operating flight.
Quick questions
Is Riyadh airport closed?
No. King Khalid International Airport has reopened.
Does reopening confirm my flight?
No. Many carriers still have route-specific cancellations.
What is Etihad’s current notice?
Riyadh and Dammam services, plus EY601–EY604 to Jeddah, are cancelled through 24 October.
Who should rebook me?
Start with the operating airline or the agent that issued the ticket.
Image credit: Saudia aircraft at King Khalid International Airport. Ned Russell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Archive image; it does not depict the October 2026 incident.
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