Is Riyadh airport open? Partly, and more of it is coming back. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is reopening Terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday, October 25, the airport announced on Saturday. It’s the biggest step toward normal since a wave of attacks shut the airport earlier this month. The airport reopened in a limited way on October 18, but every flight still needs special permission from Saudi authorities, and most foreign airlines haven't come back.
What Reopens on Sunday
According to the airport, Terminal 1 will handle domestic flights, and Terminal 2 will handle international flights run by Saudi airlines like Saudia, flynas and flyadeal.
So Sunday’s reopening matters most if you’re flying within Saudi Arabia, or flying a Saudi airline between Riyadh and another country. It doesn’t by itself bring back foreign airlines, most of which have their own return dates, listed below.
One open question is Riyadh Air. The new airline is moving its remaining flights to Al Qassim, about 250 miles north, starting Sunday too. It hasn't said whether it will move back now that more of its home airport is reopening.
Who's Still Canceled
As of October 24, according to Gulf News and Business Standard:
- flydubai: Riyadh, Dammam and Abha until October 29
- KLM: Riyadh and Dammam through October 31
- IndiGo: Riyadh through October 31
- SriLankan Airlines: Riyadh through November 1
- British Airways: Riyadh through November 3
- Etihad: Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam through November 5
- Air France: Riyadh through November 7
- Air India and Air India Express: Riyadh and Dammam through November 7
- ITA Airways: Riyadh through November 18
- Philippine Airlines: Riyadh through November 29
- Akasa Air: Riyadh through November 30
- Cathay Pacific: Riyadh through January 31, 2027
- Singapore Airlines: its new Riyadh route is pushed to March 28, 2027
- Delta: its new Atlanta to Riyadh route is pushed to March 2027
- Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa and Malaysia Airlines: no return date, until the airport fully reopens
Qatar Airways had Riyadh and Dammam canceled through October 24, so check whether your flight is running from Sunday. Emirates restarted Riyadh flights on October 20, but some were showing as canceled again on October 24.
What to Do if You're Booked
- Check your exact flight, not just the news. A terminal reopening doesn't mean your airline is flying.
- Know your terminal. Domestic flights use Terminal 1, and Saudi airlines’ international flights use Terminal 2. Check your booking or the airline's app before you leave.
- Expect delays and last-minute changes, since flights still need approval from Saudi authorities.
- If your airline is still canceled, ask about a refund or a reroute through Jeddah or Dammam, but check that your airline flies there too.
The US still advises Americans to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, and it has ordered its non-emergency embassy staffand their families to leave the country. This story will be updated as more airlines return.
