PIA Suspends Riyadh Flights After Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports
PIA Suspends Riyadh Flights After Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Last updated: October 9, 2026 Pakistan International Airlines has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh, the airline confirmed on Friday, October 9, 2026 — a direct fallout of the Houthi missile and drone attacks that have battered Saudi airports this week and thrown Gulf…
PIA Suspends Riyadh Flights After Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports
Last updated: October 9, 2026
Pakistan International Airlines has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh, the airline confirmed on Friday, October 9, 2026 — a direct fallout of the Houthi missile and drone attacks that have battered Saudi airports this week and thrown Gulf air travel into chaos.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafiz Khan said the suspension was made “in view of the situation in the Middle East,” and advised all passengers to contact the airline’s call centre at 111-786-786 before leaving for the airport to check the latest status of their flights. The airline apologised for the inconvenience but gave no date for when Riyadh services would resume.
Among the first casualties of the decision: PK-753 from Islamabad to Riyadh and PK-754 from Riyadh to Islamabad, both cancelled.
42 Flights Cancelled Across Pakistan — Passengers Stuck
The disruption went far beyond two PIA flights. On Friday alone, 42 flights were cancelled and dozens more delayed at airports across Pakistan, leaving thousands of travellers — many of them Umrah pilgrims — stranded and uncertain.
The breakdown, according to airport sources:
| Airport | Cancelled | Delayed |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore (Allama Iqbal) | 13 | 12 |
| Karachi | 10 | 13 |
| Islamabad | 9 | 8 |
| Multan | 7 | — |
The Pakistan Airports Authority moved quickly to calm rumours on social media, clarifying that flight operations to Saudi Arabia are continuing as usual and that PIA had suspended only Riyadh — not Jeddah, Dammam or other Saudi destinations. “Speculations circulating on social media are not true,” the authority posted on X.
Why Riyadh Is Under Attack
The suspension follows a grim week for Saudi aviation. On October 6 and 7, Yemen’s Houthi group struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport with ballistic missiles and drones. Saudi authorities confirmed three people killed and 36 injured — including a Pakistani national, along with five Saudis and two Egyptians. A Saudia aircraft was damaged in Thursday’s follow-up attack, with witnesses reporting smoke rising from the plane.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, saying the strikes had disrupted air traffic, and warned workers at Saudi oil facilities and airlines operating in Saudi airspace to stay away from sites the group had declared targets.
The numbers tell the scale of the disruption: Flightradar24 data showed 141 flights to or from Riyadh cancelled and 289 delayed on Friday, after 335 cancellations on Thursday.
Airlines Are Pulling Out — EASA Widens Warning
PIA is far from alone. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Friday widened the area of Saudi airspace it advises airlines to avoid, citing missile and drone threats, interception debris and the risk of civilian aircraft being misidentified.
Carriers that have suspended or cut Riyadh services:
- Lufthansa Group — suspended through October 16
- Air India — suspended through October 10
- IndiGo — cancelled through October 9
- Akasa Air — suspended through October 10
- KLM — cancelled Riyadh and Dammam until October 24
- Cathay Pacific — extended suspension until January 31
- British Airways — reduced Middle East operations
It is worth remembering the context: PIA had already suspended flights to the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait on March 1, when the US-Iran war began — but had deliberately kept its Saudi operations running. This week’s decision marks a significant expansion of the disruption to Pakistan’s air links, hitting the destination that matters most to Pakistani workers and pilgrims, and one of the country’s largest sources of remittances.
Pakistan Condemns the Attacks Under Makkah Defence Alliance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday condemned the Houthi attacks, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” under the Makkah Defence Alliance — the defence pact signed on August 7, of which Turkiye is also a part. The pact treats an attack on one signatory as an attack on all.
Just days earlier, on Monday, Pakistan and Turkiye agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in Saudi Arabia — a commitment that has taken on new weight with this week’s strikes. The DG ISPR has separately noted that Pakistani troops have been stationed in Saudi Arabia for decades, and that the pact is defensive in nature.
What Passengers Should Do Now
Check before you travel: Call PIA’s helpline 111-786-786 for the latest flight status before heading to the airport.
Riyadh only: The suspension covers Riyadh. Other Saudi destinations are operating — but confirm your specific flight.
Keep documents ready: Umrah pilgrims and workers should keep booking references and passports handy in case of rebooking.
Watch for updates: PIA has not announced a resume date; the airline says the suspension is temporary and under review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has PIA cancelled all flights to Saudi Arabia?
No. PIA has temporarily suspended flights only to Riyadh. Flights to other Saudi cities, including Jeddah, are continuing as usual, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority.
Which PIA flights were cancelled?
Flights PK-753 (Islamabad to Riyadh) and PK-754 (Riyadh to Islamabad) were cancelled on Friday. Passengers should call 111-786-786 to check their flight’s status.
Why did PIA suspend Riyadh flights?
Following Houthi missile and drone attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 6–7 — which killed three people and injured 36, including a Pakistani national — PIA suspended operations “in view of the situation in the Middle East.”
Are other airlines also avoiding Riyadh?
Yes. Lufthansa, Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, KLM, Cathay Pacific and others have suspended or reduced Riyadh services, and EASA has widened its advisory against flying in parts of Saudi airspace.
When will PIA resume Riyadh flights?
PIA has not given a date. The airline says the suspension is temporary and the situation is under review.
What is the Makkah Defence Alliance?
A defence pact signed on August 7 between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, under which an attack on one signatory is treated as an attack on all. Pakistan and Turkiye agreed on October 5 to deploy forces rapidly to Saudi Arabia if needed.
