New Saudi luxury airline forced to cancel, redivert flights under Houthi attacks - report

Saudi Arabia's new luxury airline Riyadh Air has been forced to cancel and divert flights due to Houthi attacks targeting Riyadh's airport, just months after starting commercial operations this summer. The airline evacuated all aircraft from its home base and halted most flying for two weeks, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Sister carrier Saudia also faced disruptions, with a Houthi attack on October 8 killing one of its pilots and destroying an aircraft.

Saudi Arabia's new luxury airline, Riyadh Air, has been forced to cancel and divert flights just months after starting commercial operations this summer, due to Houthi attacks targeting Riyadh's airport. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the airline evacuated all aircraft from its home base and halted almost all flying for two weeks. Remaining flights now land either in Jeddah or at a small airport 200 miles from Riyadh, with passengers enduring an hour-long ground journey to the capital. Sister carrier Saudia has also been disrupted; a Houthi attack on October 8 killed one of its pilots and destroyed an aircraft. Riyadh Air staff have begun volunteering at hospitals where victims of the airport strikes were treated. The airline also faces a renewal of its war-risk insurance policy in November. It plans to boost flights using an airport in Al Qassim province, a 4.5-hour bus ride from Riyadh, to service routes from London, Islamabad, and Cairo. The report adds that Iranian officials have told mediators Tehran may target civilian airports in retaliation for any renewed US or Israeli strikes.