Etihad Airways has announced an extension of the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam amid ongoing regional disturbances. The airline reported that flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh would remain cancelled until 2:00 AM on November 6, while flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam are also suspended with an expected resumption at 2:00 PM on the same day.
Continuity of Daytime Flights
However, daytime flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah will continue as scheduled, with cancellations affecting nighttime services through November 5 and 6. This decision follows a series of attacks targeting airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, attributed to Houthi forces.
Recent Attacks Prompting Flight Cancellations
Etihad Airways previously announced a complete cancellation of its flights to and from Riyadh starting November 12 for a week due to regional instability. This move comes in the wake of a significant attack on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh on October 10, which resulted in 13 fatalities and approximately 300 injuries.
Security Concerns at Saudi Airports
On a related note, an assault on Dammam Airport last Wednesday left two dead and eight injured, according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation. Since the beginning of October, Saudi airports and oil facilities have been subjected to nearly daily attacks by Houthi forces using missiles and drones.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed that in recent days, they targeted the Saudi Ministry of Defence in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Yanbu, and both King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Abha Airport in the southern region of the kingdom.
Status of Saudi Airports
Riyadh Airport has remained closed since October 10, while the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Thursday the “resumption of operational activities” at Dammam Airport following the recent attacks.
© 2026 AFP