UAE airlines announced flight delays and cancellations to and from Riyadh on Thursday after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group claimed it had carried out a fresh missile attack targeting the Saudi capital.
Etihad Airways said its flight EY555 from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh had been significantly delayed following the closure of Riyadh airport. The disruption also affected the return service, EY556, from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, which was expected to face a delay.
Dubai-based flydubai separately announced the cancellation of flights 855 and 856 to and from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, October 8.
The airline said there were no other changes to its scheduled services to and from the Saudi airport at the time of its announcement.
The disruptions followed reports of missile activity over Riyadh. The Houthis said they had again targeted King Khalid International Airport, while the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said it had intercepted two missiles launched towards the Saudi capital.
The latest incident comes amid continued regional security concerns linked to attacks by the Houthis, who have previously targeted Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones during the conflict in Yemen.
Etihad said the situation remained fluid and that additional changes to its flight schedule were possible. The airline advised passengers to check the latest information through its official website before travelling to the airport.
An Etihad spokesperson apologised for the disruption and said the carrier’s teams were working to assist passengers affected by the changes.
The airline said the safety and comfort of passengers and crew remained its highest priority as it monitored developments around Riyadh airport.
Flydubai also said it was closely monitoring the situation and would communicate any further changes to customers through its official channels.
The cancellations and delays highlight the potential impact of renewed security incidents on air travel in the region, particularly for flights operating to airports that could be affected by missile threats or temporary closures.
Passengers travelling between the UAE and Saudi Arabia were advised to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules could change depending on security developments.
Airlines operating regional services have increasingly issued travel updates during periods of heightened security, with carriers adjusting schedules when airports or airspace face operational restrictions.
For passengers booked on affected services, airlines are expected to provide updated information on revised departure times, cancellations and available travel arrangements as the situation develops.
