Etihad and flydubai Suspend Flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha Until October 19

Etihad Airways and flydubai have suspended their flights to a number of Saudi airports until October 19, after Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following repeated attacks, according to RN News Center.

Etihad canceled all its flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 19, and suspended its services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah until October 15, and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam on October 13 and 14, according to the same source.

In the same context, flydubai canceled its flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha until October 19, which means canceling dozens of weekly flights connecting the UAE with three major Saudi airports.

This development impacts travelers, business people, and freight companies in the region, as the continued closure increases rebooking costs and diverts traffic to alternative airports, while air travel remains one of the sectors most affected by heightened security tensions.

What do these terms mean?

King Khalid International Airport: The largest airport in Saudi Arabia, located in the capital, Riyadh, serving international and domestic flights.

Suspension of operations: A decision by the regulatory authority to temporarily halt takeoffs and landings at an airport for security or operational reasons.

Rebooking: Transferring a passenger to another flight or a later date following the cancellation of their original flight.