Houthi attacks ground nearly 90% of Riyadh flights, forcing cancellations, paralyzing nation

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have grounded nearly 90% of scheduled flights at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport this month, with 86% of flights canceled between October 8 and October 25, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting airports, ports, and oil facilities. An attack on October 10 killed 13 people at Riyadh airport, the deadliest in the kingdom in over a decade. The disruption has forced cancellations or postponements of major events, including Saudi Arabia's marquee investment conference. Nationwide, over 7,800 flights (45% of all scheduled departures) were canceled during this period.

Attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have nearly emptied the skies over Riyadh this month, with aviation data showing that about 86% of scheduled flights at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport were canceled between October 8 and October 25. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 4,071 out of 4,736 scheduled flights were grounded. The Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia this month, targeting airports, ports and oil facilities with ballistic missiles and drones. An attack on October 10 killed 13 people at Riyadh airport, the deadliest in the kingdom in more than a decade. Saudi authorities partially reopened the airport on Sunday after a halt that started on October 10, with domestic flights resuming from Terminal 1 and international services from Terminal 2. However, the Houthis said they had attacked the airport again on Monday, calling it a military target. The disruption has forced several events in Riyadh to be canceled or postponed, including Saudi Arabia's marquee investment conference. More than 7,800 flights, or 45% of all scheduled departures from Saudi airports, were canceled between October 8 and October 25. The peak came on October 12, when cancellations exceeded 60% of scheduled flights nationwide. Several major airports recorded severe disruption, including Dammam at 42% and Abha at 46.7%. The article relies on data from Cirium and a Reuters wire report, with no direct quotes from Saudi officials or airline executives.