Houthi Strikes on Riyadh and Abha Airports Kill Saudi Pilot, Two Others: What Indian Travellers Should Know
Saudi Arabia's aviation authority says three people were killed in attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 8, as a Saudi-led offensive against Yemen's Houthis escalates.
Saudi Arabia's main airport has come under fire. Attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, October 8, 2026, killing three Saudi nationals, including a captain of the national airline Saudia, according to the kingdom's aviation authority and the airline.
What happened
- Two strikes on the airport: according to the Saudi authorities, the first attack targeted airport facilities and the second hit a Saudia aircraft parked on the ground. No passengers were on board.
- The victims: Saudia named one of those killed as Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami. Several people "of different nationalities" were also wounded, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
- Operations: the authorities said the airport resumed operations and air traffic returned to normal afterwards.
- Earlier attacks: reports on the morning of October 8 said attacks on the airports in Riyadh and Abha had killed three people and injured 36. The casualty figures from the different days have not been fully reconciled in official statements.
The Houthis said they had fired missiles at the airport. Their claims about the type of weapon differ between reports, and the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted several ballistic missiles.
The wider conflict
The attacks follow a major military offensive launched against the Houthis by a Saudi-led coalition in recent days. Strikes on Saudi airports, military sites and oil facilities have increased since then. Attacks on civilian airports mark a serious escalation, because they put passengers and airline staff directly at risk.
Why it matters for India
Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest communities of Indian workers abroad, and Riyadh and Abha are linked to Indian cities by frequent flights. If you or your family are travelling:
- Check your flight status with the airline before leaving home, as schedules may change at short notice.
- Follow advisories from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Register with the embassy if you live in Saudi Arabia and haven't done so, so that you can be contacted in an emergency.
- Check your travel insurance, as many policies exclude losses caused by war or terrorism.
We will update this story as Saudi authorities release further information.
Sources
This article draws on the following reporting. Dates are when each source was originally published.
- Khaleej Times: 3 Saudi citizens, including Saudia captain, killed in attacks on Riyadh airport
- News On AIR: Three killed, 36 injured in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports ·
- Al Jazeera: Saudi-led coalition says it intercepts three Houthi ballistic missiles
- The Star (Reuters): Yemen's Houthis say they attacked Riyadh airport with ballistic missile
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