PIA suspends Riyadh flights after Houthi strikes on Saudi airports
Pakistan International Airlines has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid the worsening security situation in the Middle East. The decision means PIA suspends Riyadh flights until further notice, following a series of Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and infrastructure.
The airline’s spokesperson, Abdullah Hafiz Khan, announced the move on Friday. Saudi authorities say three people were killed and 36 injured, including a Pakistani national, in attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7.
Flight PK-753 from Islamabad to Riyadh and the return leg, PK-754, were cancelled. Khan advised passengers to call the airline’s call centre on 111-786-786 before leaving for the airport, and the airline apologised for the inconvenience.
Strikes that forced the decision
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Thursday it had intercepted and destroyed several ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh and Khamis Mushait in the southwestern Asir region. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said two missiles were aimed at the Saudi capital and one at Khamis Mushait.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed a ballistic missile strike on King Khalid International Airport that disrupted air traffic, and warned workers at Saudi oil facilities and airlines using Saudi airspace.
The Houthis have struck Saudi targets since the Yemen war escalated in 2015. Their September 2019 drone attacks on Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq plant and Khurais oil field briefly cut more than half of the kingdom’s crude output. On September 25 this year, the military leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye condemned attacks targeting Makkah and reaffirmed their commitment to the kingdom’s collective defence.
PIA suspends Riyadh flights: what passengers should do
Travellers booked on the Riyadh route should confirm their flight status before leaving home. PIA has asked all passengers to contact its call centre on 111-786-786 for the latest updates, and says bookings can be adjusted as the situation develops.
The airline has not said when services will resume. The suspension stands for now, and PIA says it will review the decision as the security picture changes.
Airlines across the region pull back
PIA is not the only carrier stepping back. Tracking data shows 104 flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled and 154 delayed on Friday, with 335 cancellations the day before. The Lufthansa Group has suspended Riyadh services until October 16, IndiGo until October 9, and Air India and Akasa Air until October 10.
A Reuters-verified video showed black smoke and flames over Riyadh airport, where a stationary commercial plane caught fire. The strikes also damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in the capital.
Months of disruption for Pakistani travellers
Gulf air links have been strained since the United States and Israel struck Iran on February 28. More than 500 flights to and from Pakistani airports were cancelled in the first three days, and 578 by March 5.
PIA first suspended flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait, but kept Saudi services running on revised routes. Services began returning after an April ceasefire, though PIA later suspended Fujairah flights for 48 hours and trimmed its UAE operation to Al Ain.
Are PIA flights to Riyadh cancelled?
Yes. PIA has temporarily suspended all Riyadh operations, including PK-753 and PK-754, citing the Middle East security situation.
How can passengers check their flight status?
PIA has asked passengers to call its call centre on 111-786-786 before leaving for the airport to confirm whether their flight is operating.
Which other airlines have suspended Riyadh flights?
The Lufthansa Group has suspended Riyadh flights until October 16, IndiGo until October 9, and Air India and Akasa Air until October 10, among others.
When will PIA resume Riyadh flights?
The airline has not given a date. It says the suspension is temporary and will be reviewed as the security situation develops.
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