RUH Update: Riyadh Airport Reopens, but Most Foreign Airlines Stay Away for Days or Months

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, October 18, 2026 — Update to our October 17 story. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) reopened on Sunday, October 18, after the closure notice expired overnight. But most foreign airlines are not coming back yet: several have pushed their Riyadh suspensions out by days, weeks or, in Cathay Pacific’s case, to the end of January.

What changed since our last update

Closure notice expired: NOTAM A3604/26 ran out at 21:00 GMT on October 17, which was midnight Saudi time on October 18. Karmactive reports that Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) finished runway and terminal safety inspections before the expiry.
Airport reopened: The National reports RUH reopened on Sunday, October 18, but notes that “many airlines have not yet lifted their suspension of flights to the Saudi capital.”
Saudia: Limited domestic operations are resuming, according to Karmactive.
Mixed signals: A Gulf News flight-status roundup updated October 18 still described RUH as suspended, based on the advisories it had, and told readers to check the latest official notice. Confirm with your airline before heading out.
Why some airlines are holding off: Karmactive reports that a separate regional conflict-zone airspace warning stays in effect until December 10, 2026, and that this warning, rather than the airport reopening, is what airlines’ war-risk insurers price against.

Where the airlines stand (as reported October 18)

Airline	Saudi status
Etihad	Abu Dhabi–Riyadh cancelled until October 19 (The National); Gulf News lists Riyadh and Dammam cancelled through October 18 and Jeddah through October 19
Emirates	Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam cancellations on October 18, no end date given; Google listings show six Dubai–Riyadh services on October 20 (The National)
flydubai	Riyadh, Dammam and Abha until October 19
Air Arabia	Sharjah–Riyadh, Abha, Dammam and Taif suspended, resumption TBA
Qatar Airways	Riyadh and Dammam suspended, resumption TBA
Gulf Air	Flights after October 18 operating as scheduled
Oman Air	Riyadh suspended until October 22
SalamAir	Riyadh and Dammam suspended until October 31
Air India / Air India Express	Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24 (The National); Gulf News gives October 20
IndiGo	Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 24
Akasa Air	Riyadh until October 24; Jeddah until October 21
SriLankan Airlines	Riyadh and Dammam until October 24 (Gulf News)
Air France	Riyadh until October 24
KLM	Riyadh and Dammam until October 31
Lufthansa	Riyadh until November 18; Dammam through November 30
British Airways	One daily Riyadh flight returns November 3
Philippine Airlines	Riyadh (PR654/PR655) suspended until November 29
Cathay Pacific	Riyadh suspended until January 31, 2027
Delta	Atlanta–Riyadh launch moved from October 23 to March 2027
Pakistan International Airlines	Riyadh suspended since October 9, resumption TBA

Elsewhere in the kingdom, Malaysia Airlines resumes Jeddah and Madinah on October 18, Eurowings resumes Jeddah on November 12, and Scoot’s Singapore–Jeddah route stays suspended until December 2, according to The National.

What it means for travelers

An open airport does not mean open seats. With most foreign carriers still out for at least another week, the flights that do operate into RUH will be carrying passengers rebooked from cancelled services.
Dates differ by source. Air India and Etihad dates conflict between reports. Check your own airline’s schedule for the actual operating date.
Do not count on a quick bounce-back. The regional airspace warning runs to December 10, so further extensions are possible.
Gulf Air and Saudia are the early movers. If you must reach Riyadh, routings via Bahrain on Gulf Air, or Saudia domestic connections, may be the first realistic options.
Know the advice before you go. Check your government’s travel advisory for Saudi Arabia before planning any trip there.