October 9: A Saudia airliner was heavily damaged by fire while parked at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday during a missile attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, AeroCorner reported, citing Reuters. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted the missiles, and it is not yet clear whether the plane was hit directly or by debris. The aircraft was believed to be empty. Nearly 300 flights were cancelled at Riyadh, and Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air suspended their Riyadh services, while India’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks on Saudi airports.
Key highlights
- Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and one aimed at Khamis Mushait were intercepted and destroyed, India TV News reported.
- Three people briefed on the incident told Reuters the damage to the jet may have come from shrapnel from an intercepted missile or from a direct hit, according to AeroCorner. Saudia and the civil aviation authority did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
- The day before, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports had killed three people and injured 36, AeroCorner reported.
- Cirium counted 293 cancelled flights at Riyadh on Thursday, about 39% of the day’s schedule, according to AeroCorner, citing Simple Flying. FlightAware data cited by AP showed more than 275 cancellations.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs said: “The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” India TV News reported.
What is known and what is not
| Question | What the reports say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What was damaged? | A Saudia airliner parked at a terminal; most reports say an Airbus A320, but no registration has been published | AeroCorner, AirLive |
| Was anyone on board? | The jet was believed to be empty; injuries could not be ruled out | AeroCorner, AirLive |
| What caused the fire? | Not confirmed: shrapnel from an intercepted missile or a direct hit | Reuters sources, via AeroCorner; AirLive |
| Who claimed the attack? | The Houthis; spokesman Yahya Saree said the missile hit its target | AeroCorner, India TV News |
| What did Saudi Arabia say? | Missiles were intercepted; falling debris damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex in Riyadh, civil defence said | India TV News, AeroCorner |
| Earlier attacks | On October 7, attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports killed three and injured 36, according to GACA | AeroCorner |
Indian flights: what has been cancelled
| Airline | What it has done | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | All Riyadh flights suspended until October 10; flight AI2243 from Delhi turned back “in the interest of passenger and crew safety” | Travel Trade Journal, India TV News |
| Air India Express | Riyadh services suspended until October 10 | Travel Trade Journal |
| IndiGo | All flights to and from Riyadh cancelled until October 9; flight 6E 93 from Hyderabad diverted to Dammam | Travel Trade Journal, India TV News |
| Akasa Air | Kochi–Riyadh flights cancelled; suspension extended until October 10 | Travel Trade Journal, India TV News |
| Lufthansa Group | Riyadh flights suspended through October 16 | AeroCorner |
The Indian carriers are offering free rescheduling or full refunds, according to Travel Trade Journal and India TV News. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged Indian nationals to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and avoid circulating videos of the attacks, Travel Trade Journal reported, and said the embassy, the consulate in Jeddah and visa services were working normally. The US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert and now requires its government staff to get special authorisation to use the Riyadh airport, AeroCorner said.
What it means for India and Asia
Riyadh is an important destination for Indian workers and travellers, and a halt of even two or three days strands people at both ends. The Houthis also warned airlines “for the last time” against operating in Saudi airspace, India TV News reported, which raises the risk that suspensions will be extended. Coming after the attacks on Aden airport and on tankers near Hormuz and off Qatar this week, the strike on Riyadh’s main airport shows the war in the Gulf and Yemen reaching civil aviation in one of the region’s largest hubs. Travellers on Saudi routes should check directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
What to watch
- Whether Indian airlines extend their suspensions beyond October 9 and 10.
- Saudi or Saudia confirmation of what hit the aircraft, and of any injuries.
- Further Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, and the coalition’s response.
- Any advisory from India’s civil aviation regulator on flights to Saudi Arabia.
Related: Tanker with 17 Indian crew hit near Hormuz; Houthi missiles land near Aden airport and Tanker hit off northern Qatar.
Sources
- AeroCorner: Saudia jet fire at Riyadh airport, flights cut
- AirLive: Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft destroyed in fire at Riyadh airport amid reported missile attack
- India TV News: Air India, Air India Express suspend flights to Riyadh till Oct 10 after Houthi claim of strike
- Travel Trade Journal: Indian airlines suspend Riyadh flights amid security concerns; Embassy issues advisory
The International Desk covers world and Asian affairs, diplomacy and conflict, with a focus on what they mean for India. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
