Etihad and flydubai Cancel Riyadh Flights After Missile Strikes: What UAE Travellers Need to Know

UAE carriers Etihad Airways and flydubai have cancelled multiple flights to Riyadh and Yanbu through 10 October after Houthi missiles struck Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport on Friday morning. In a statement to ARN News, Etihad listed six cancelled rotations on 9 October and two on 10 October, warning that “the situation remains dynamic and further changes are possible.” Flydubai has suspended services to Riyadh and Abha until at least 11 October. The sudden disruption underscores how quickly geopolitical flashpoints can ripple through regional aviation. Corporate mobility managers should immediately verify the status of employee itineraries and activate re-booking protocols. Etihad and flydubai say affected passengers are eligible for free date changes or refunds, but seats on alternative flights are already scarce because of high seasonal demand. Travellers with onward connections through Riyadh may need to reroute via Jeddah, Dammam or direct to Dubai. Cargo traffic is also affected. Logistics teams moving time-sensitive shipments between the UAE and central Saudi Arabia should expect 24- to 48-hour delays while freighter slots are re-allocated and customs windows are extended. Companies with just-in-time inventories in Riyadh’s industrial zones should explore partial road haulage from Dammam or consider chartering capacity via Bahrain. While UAE airports remain fully operational, regional air-defence alerts could lead to temporary airspace restrictions over the Gulf. Airlines have contingency routings in place, but longer flight times may trigger crew-duty limitations and knock-on schedule changes. Employers should communicate potential delays to travelling staff and remind employees to keep travel documents and local contact numbers handy in case of last-minute gate changes. Security analysts note that previous Houthi attacks have targeted energy infrastructure rather than commercial aviation, but Friday’s strike marks the first direct hit on Riyadh’s airport in over a year. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority is monitoring developments and could issue additional NOTAMs. Mobility teams should subscribe to real-time flight-status feeds and be prepared to adjust MENA itineraries at short notice.