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Flights between Istanbul and Riyadh have been suspended after repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia's airport infrastructure forced authorities to shut down the capital's main airport, disrupting air travel and prompting airlines to cancel services across the kingdom.
Turkish Airlines and Saudi carrier Saudia are among the airlines affected by the suspension of flights between Istanbul Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Services to other Saudi destinations have also faced disruptions, although flights to Medina continue to operate normally.
The cancellations come amid a wider wave of attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi group. Ten attacks targeted five Saudi airports between Oct. 5 and 11, killing 20 people and injuring hundreds.
King Khalid International Airport has borne the brunt of the attacks, with five strikes reported during the week, followed by two attacks on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Airports in Abha, Jazan and Najran were also targeted.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) temporarily suspended operations at Riyadh airport following a deadly strike on Oct. 10. The closure was subsequently extended until Oct. 17 as authorities carried out safety inspections and assessed damage to airport facilities.
The Oct. 10 attack killed 13 people and injured 309, according to reports citing Saudi authorities. A further attack on Oct. 11 killed one person and injured 11 others, adding to the toll from the weeklong series of strikes.
The disruption has spread beyond the Saudi capital, although not all routes have been suspended.
At Istanbul Airport, some flights to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah have been canceled, while other services continue to operate. Flights between Istanbul and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina remain unaffected, according to the reported operational changes.
Other international carriers have also suspended or reduced services to Saudi Arabia. Lufthansa Group canceled Riyadh flights through Oct. 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension of services to and from the capital until the end of October.
Etihad Airways canceled selected flights linking Abu Dhabi with Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, while Qatar Airways temporarily suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam.
The attacks have prompted fresh aviation safety warnings as missile and drone strikes raise concerns over the risks to civilian aircraft and airport facilities.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration advised American carriers to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also widened its warning covering Saudi airspace, citing potential threats from missile and drone attacks, interceptions, and falling debris.
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