Riyadh Airport Closure: What Moroccan Residents and Travellers Need to Know

Moroccans living in Saudi Arabia now face two overlapping pressures: a deteriorating security environment and one of the Kingdom’s most serious aviation disruptions in years.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport while safety inspections and operational-readiness checks continue.

An aviation notice reviewed by Reuters indicates that the airport is scheduled to remain closed until 9 p.m. GMT on October 17. That deadline remains subject to change. Even after the airport reopens, airlines will need time to reposition aircraft and crews and clear the backlog of disrupted passengers.

The October 10 attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to the updated toll reported by Reuters. A subsequent attack killed one more person and injured nearly a dozen others.

The escalation has since reached other infrastructure. An attack caused a fire in an administrative building at Saudi Aramco’s Dhahran compound, though Saudi authorities reported no casualties. The Houthis have meanwhile threatened further attacks on airports and energy facilities.

Airlines affected

Air France-KLM has suspended Riyadh services through the end of October. Lufthansa Group has cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, while Etihad has suspended Abu Dhabi–Riyadh services through October 19.

Qatar Airways has temporarily halted flights to Riyadh and Dammam without announcing a firm resumption date. Gulf Air, Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have also cancelled services to selected Saudi destinations. 

These are operational targets, not guaranteed restart dates. Travellers should verify their individual flight number rather than relying on a general announcement about a route or airport.

What about Royal Air Maroc?

At the time of publication, MMNEWS had not identified a public Royal Air Maroc notice announcing a blanket suspension of all Saudi services. That does not mean every scheduled flight will operate.

RAM advises affected passengers to check their booking through its website or mobile application. Depending on availability and applicable conditions, passengers whose flights are cancelled may be offered rebooking, an alternative itinerary or a refund.

Passengers should make sure their telephone number and email address are correctly recorded in the booking. Those who purchased through a travel agency or online intermediary may need to contact the original seller.

Practical guidance for MREs

Moroccan residents and travellers should:

• obtain direct confirmation before leaving for the airport;
• verify every flight separately when travelling on a multi-airline itinerary;
• save cancellation messages, receipts and booking screenshots;
• ask the airline about rerouting before buying a replacement ticket;
• avoid airports and sensitive infrastructure unless travel is confirmed and necessary;
• refrain from photographing interception activity, impact sites or military movements;
• never approach or touch suspected missile or drone debris;
• use Morocco’s official diplomatic directory to contact the embassy or relevant consular service when assistance is required.

For flights covered by EU passenger rules, cancellation generally gives travellers a choice between reimbursement and rerouting. However, fixed financial compensation may not be payable if the airline proves that extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Armed conflict and airspace closures can fall within that category.

The key message is straightforward: an original booking schedule is no longer sufficient evidence that a flight will operate. Check again on the day of travel—and preferably only a few hours before departure.