Saudia pilot among three killed in Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport, Saudi aviation body says
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority has confirmed that three Saudi nationals, including a pilot with national carrier Saudia, were killed in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. The Riyadh airport attacks continue a deadly week of Houthi strikes on Saudi airports.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck a Saudia aircraft standing on the ground. Saudia identified the dead pilot as Captain Hamoud Ali Al-Kalthami and confirmed the aircraft was damaged while parked, with no passengers on board.
Several other Saudi citizens and residents of different nationalities were wounded, GACA said, with injuries ranging from minor to critical. Emergency response teams reached both sites immediately and moved the injured to hospital, while engineers began assessing damage to the airport’s infrastructure.
Airport operations resume after Thursday’s strikes
Despite the damage, the airport is back in service. GACA said air traffic returned to normal, and Saudia announced separately that its flights and operations at the Riyadh airport were running normally from 6pm Saudi time on Thursday.
The strikes disrupted one of the region’s busiest hubs. Tracking data cited this week showed mass cancellations at Riyadh, and several international carriers, including the Lufthansa Group, IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air, suspended or curtailed Riyadh services. Pakistan International Airlines also temporarily suspended its Riyadh flights on Friday, citing the security situation.
Houthis claim missile strikes on Riyadh and Najran
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying their forces fired cruise and ballistic missiles at Riyadh and Najran airports and a Royal Saudi Air Force base, and warned airlines and energy workers to stay away from Saudi facilities.
Saudi officials said air defences intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and one heading for Khamis Mushait in the southwest. The Houthis had warned international airlines earlier in the week about operating in Saudi airspace.
Riyadh airport attacks follow a week of escalation
Thursday’s strikes followed a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports earlier in the week. Three people were killed and 36 injured, including a Pakistani national, in strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports on October 6 and 7. Debris from intercepted missiles also damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in the Saudi capital.
The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and military sites since the Yemen conflict escalated, and have stepped up the tempo in recent weeks as fighting with the Iran-backed rebels opened a new front. Pakistan has condemned the attacks and reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security under the Makkah defence pact, while denying reports that its aircraft were used in strikes against the Houthis.
Who was killed in the Riyadh airport attacks?
Three Saudi nationals were killed, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Al-Kalthami. Several other people were injured, with conditions ranging from minor to critical, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.
Is Riyadh airport operating normally now?
Yes. GACA says airport operations have resumed and air traffic is back to normal. Saudia said its flights at King Khalid International Airport were operating normally from 6pm Saudi time on Thursday, though some international carriers have suspended Riyadh services.
What did the Houthis say about the attack?
The Houthis claimed they fired cruise and ballistic missiles at Riyadh and Najran airports and a Saudi air force base. Saudi officials said air defences intercepted missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait.
Has Pakistan responded to the attacks on Saudi airports?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and said Pakistan’s commitment to the kingdom’s security under the Makkah pact remained resolute. PIA has temporarily suspended its Riyadh flights.
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