UPDATE, OCTOBER 12, 12:10 P.M. EASTERN: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remained closed Monday as the Saudi-led coalition reported a new barrage of incoming missiles and drones.

The coalition did not immediately say whether the weapons were intercepted. Reuters reported that Saudi airspace remained heavily disrupted after repeated attacks on airports and other infrastructure during the past week.

Airport closure continues

Saudi authorities said the airport would remain shut for now. Aviation analytics firm Cirium had expected about 60 per cent of Monday’s scheduled flights to be cancelled, while Flightradar24 produced a higher estimate of about 78 per cent. Nearly every scheduled Riyadh flight was cancelled Sunday.

Lufthansa Group cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, while Air France-KLM extended its suspension through the end of October. Several airlines were using Jeddah as an alternative. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has advised American carriers to exercise caution in Saudi airspace.

Repeated attacks left at least 18 dead

Saudi authorities said a Houthi-claimed strike on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. A separate attack on Terminal 4 on Sunday killed one person and injured 11, bringing the reported weekly death toll at the airport to 18. A separate strike was also reported at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The Houthis have threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. Iran offered to facilitate dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, while the United Arab Emirates called for renewed joint Gulf security and defence action. Claims involving additional targets and interceptions have not all been independently verified.

Canadian travel advice remains elevated

Global Affairs Canada advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia because of the volatile security situation and to verify flight plans before going to an airport. Travellers should rely on their airline for rebooking information and allow for further schedule changes.

What changed: This update adds Monday’s reported missile-and-drone barrage, the continuing airport closure and the latest regional diplomatic responses. The original article address, publication date and lead image have been retained.

Sources: Reuters, October 12: new incoming fire and airport closure; Reuters, October 12: flight cancellations and airline suspensions; Reuters, October 12: FAA caution notice; Saudi Press Agency, October 11: regional statement on the attacks; Government of Canada travel advice.

Lead image: file photograph of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Kharbaan Ghaltaan via Wikimedia Commons, 2025, CC BY-SA 4.0; not a photograph of the October attacks.