Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that operations had resumed and air traffic had returned to normal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following two attacks on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

The incidents killed three Saudi citizens and injured several other people, according to a statement published by Saudi Gazette on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The authority explained that the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck an aircraft belonging to Saudia, the Kingdom’s national airline. Emergency response teams and relevant authorities responded immediately, following established procedures and contingency plans designed to address such incidents.

According to the authority, the attacks killed three Saudi nationals and injured several citizens and residents of different nationalities. The injuries ranged from minor to serious, and the injured were transported to hospitals to receive the necessary medical care.

The authority added that the incidents caused material damage to airport facilities and property. It said coordination with the relevant security authorities was continuing to assess the damage and implement the necessary measures to protect passengers and airport personnel and maintain the safety and security of operations across the Kingdom’s civil aviation system.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that airport operations had resumed and air traffic had returned to normal following the measures taken in response to the incidents. Saudia also announced that Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami was among those killed. The airline confirmed that one of its aircraft had sustained damage while parked at the airport, with no passengers on board at the time.

The developments came amid wider disruptions to regional air travel, with several airlines announcing cancellations, suspensions or schedule changes. These changes affected travelers on a number of routes, making official updates from airlines and airport authorities particularly important.

Passengers travelling to or from Riyadh are advised to verify their flight status and departure and arrival times through their airlines’ official websites or applications before heading to the airport. They should also check notifications regarding schedule changes or cancellations, as the resumption of airport operations does not necessarily mean that every affected flight has immediately returned to its original.