King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh suspended operations late on 10 October after an explosion injured several people, forcing airlines across the region to cancel or divert services. Reuters reports that Etihad and Qatar Airways immediately scrubbed multiple rotations, while other carriers began re-routing traffic through Jeddah and Dubai until safety assessments are complete. Although Cyprus does not currently enjoy a nonstop service to the Saudi capital, Larnaca and Paphos airports feed numerous regional hubs that connect onward to Riyadh. Tour operators and corporate travel managers in Nicosia said passengers booked on Sunday- and Monday-morning departures via Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul were being re-accommodated. Cyprus-based shipping and construction firms with personnel in the Gulf have been advised to monitor airline notifications closely and maintain updated traveller tracking lists. The incident follows a pattern of drone and missile attacks blamed on Yemen’s Houthi movement and comes just weeks after the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia downgraded its regional security alert. Travel-risk consultancies warn that further strikes could trigger rolling closures of Saudi airports, with ripple effects on cargo flows vital to Cypriot exporters of pharmaceuticals, halloumi and high-value perishables. Insurers say companies should check whether their policies classify the attack as force majeure; some war-risk clauses exclude terror-related disruption at third-country transit points. Meanwhile, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its advice for citizens in Saudi Arabia to register on the online consular platform to receive real-time updates. Airlines have waived change fees for tickets issued up to 9 October with travel through 15 October. Travel managers are urged to act quickly to secure alternative routings, as mid-week capacity via Dubai and Muscat is already tight due to the Hajj shoulder season.
Source: KNEWS (Kathimerini Cyprus)
