RUH: Etihad Extends Riyadh Suspension to Nov. 19 as Saudi Carriers Bus Passengers via Qassim

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — November 5, 2026 — Three weeks after King Khalid International Airport (RUH) partly reopened, the schedule picture is getting longer, not shorter: Etihad has pushed its Riyadh and Dammam cancellations out to November 19, and two Saudi carriers are now routing some Riyadh passengers through Qassim with bus connections.

Update: what changed in the past 24 hours

• Etihad extends: Abu Dhabi–Riyadh and Abu Dhabi–Dammam flights (passenger and cargo) are now cancelled through Thursday, November 19. Earlier notices ran only through November 5.
• Jeddah returns for Etihad: flights EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah resume Friday, November 6; other Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights are listed as operating normally.
• Riyadh passengers bused via Qassim: flyadeal has temporarily shifted its Riyadh services to Qassim Airport, with bus transfers from Riyadh Bus Station. Saudia is running some Riyadh services through Al Qassim with bus transfers and is arranging alternative routings via Al Qassim and Dammam.
• Gulf Air has resumed operations at Riyadh, per Gulf News.
• Emirates Dubai–Riyadh flights EK815, EK817 and EK819 were listed as cancelled in Gulf News’ November 5 snapshot (end date TBA).

Background

RUH shut after attacks on October 10 and partly reopened on October 25. Terminal 1 is handling domestic flights and Terminal 2 selected international services operated by Saudi carriers. Saudi authorities require airlines to obtain permission for each departure and landing, and Saudia, flynas, flyadeal and Riyadh Air have been operating selected services under those rules.

Where foreign airlines stand (as published)

Airlines change these dates often and at short notice; check the carrier directly before relying on any of them.

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What it means for travelers

• Do not plan travel into Riyadh or Dammam this month. Most foreign carriers are out until mid- or late November, and the flights that do operate need per-flight approval, so schedules can vanish at short notice.
• Expect few seats on what is flying. With so many carriers suspended, the remaining Saudi-carrier and BA flights are absorbing displaced passengers; seats will be scarce.
• A booking “to Riyadh” may end at Qassim. On flyadeal and some Saudia services you may land at Qassim and finish by bus. Confirm the actual arrival airport before you book.
• Jeddah is the better-served gateway for now, with Etihad returning on November 6 and other Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights listed as normal.
• Read government travel advice first: Australia’s Smartraveller tells travelers to reconsider the need to travel to Saudi Arabia because airports have been targeted.
• If you are already in Saudi Arabia, leave yourself several backup options and do not count on a single flight.

Sources

• Gulf News — UAE flights status today: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia cancellations, delays as Saudi routes remain disrupted (updated November 5, 2026)
• Travel Monitor — Daily Watch List: what is affecting travel today – 5 November 2026
• TravelMole — Riyadh airport to resume flights but airlines extend suspensions (October 24, 2026; background)