Over 300 Flights Canceled in Saudi Arabia After Missile Strikes on Riyadh

A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 8 caused major flight disruptions.

According to real-time data from AirNav Radar, more than 332 flights have been canceled at the airport, while at least 223 departures have been delayed indefinitely.

The strike destroyed at least one empty Saudi Arabian Airlines passenger plane and damaged one of the airport terminals.

📰A Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) aircraft has reportedly been destroyed by fire at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, amid reports of a missile attack.

Dramatic footage shows thick black smoke rising over the airport, with flames burning near airport buildings as emergency crews respond. The aircraft was reportedly empty at the time.

🎥 Images & video: @airlivenet

View the flight data at https://t.co/z0fVYFeOUg

— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) October 8, 2026

The attack was part of a new wave of strikes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been targeting civilian airports and military facilities in Saudi Arabia for the third consecutive day.

According to CNN, the group claimed to have used cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones to target airports in Riyadh and Najran.

Saudi authorities reported intercepting two ballistic missiles over Riyadh. Falling debris damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic.

In the first few days of attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha, three people were killed and another 36 were injured.

The escalation comes amid intensified fighting in Yemen as part of the Operation Dawn of Yemen.

As previously reported, Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, announced that they had regained control of the strategic port city of Mocha and positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

However, the Houthis deny losing control of Mocha and claim that their units remain present on the city’s streets.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have also agreed to begin implementing their collective defense commitments and prepare to deploy coordinated forces on Saudi Arabian territory.