Saudi Arabia reopens Riyadh airport as Houthi missiles target capital

Saudi Arabia partly reopened King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, October 25, 2026, two weeks after a Houthi-claimed attack shut it down, even as explosions were heard over the capital the same morning. The Saudi military said it intercepted one ballistic missile and two drones fired by Yemen's Houthi movement towards Riyadh, and the Houthis declared the airport a military target, warning airlines and travellers to stay away. For Indian travellers, IndiGo's Riyadh flights remain cancelled until October 31, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

The reopening is a test of whether Saudi Arabia can restore normal life in its capital while under sustained missile and drone attack. Riyadh's main airport is one of the busiest hubs in the Gulf, and keeping it shut was a heavy cost for the kingdom's economy, its tourism ambitions and its image as a safe place to do business. Reopening it, even partly and with most early flights cancelled, signals that Saudi authorities believe their air defences can protect it. The Houthis' response, calling the airport a legitimate target and promising it would never be safe, shows that the group intends to keep up the pressure.

For India, the stakes are direct. Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest communities of Indian workers abroad, and flights between Indian cities and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are among the busiest international routes for Indian airlines. The closure of Riyadh's airport and the security situation have already forced Indian carriers to suspend services. The Indian Embassy's advisory that IndiGo will not fly to Riyadh until at least October 31 means that families, workers returning from leave and business travellers will face more delays even though the airport is technically open.

There is also an economic dimension. Attacks on Saudi Arabia raise worries about the security of the Gulf's oil supplies, and oil prices have been high in recent weeks amid tensions in the region. As a large importer of crude oil, India feels instability in the Gulf through fuel costs, inflation and the rupee.

Reports on the status of other Indian airlines differ. Some accounts give later restart dates for Air India and Air India Express services to Saudi cities, while others have not confirmed any change, so travellers should check directly with their airline before planning a journey.

Riyadh airport reopening: what we know Item | Status on October 25, 2026 Terminals open | Terminal 1 (domestic), Terminal 2 (international, national carriers) Morning flights cancelled | About 60% Attack on the city | One ballistic missile and two drones intercepted, Saudi military said IndiGo to Riyadh | Cancelled until October 31, Indian Embassy said

Short-term: Flights in and out of Riyadh will remain limited and vulnerable to sudden disruption as long as attacks continue. Indian travellers face cancellations at least until the end of October on IndiGo's Riyadh route.

Long-term: A prolonged conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis would keep pressure on Gulf aviation, shipping and energy markets, with knock-on effects for countries like India that depend on the region for oil and for jobs for millions of their citizens.

Who is affected: Residents and travellers in Riyadh; airlines serving Saudi Arabia, including Indian carriers; Indian workers and their families who travel between India and the kingdom; and energy importers, India among them, exposed to Gulf instability.

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