EGYPT · AVIATION
Key Facts
- —What happened EgyptAir suspended Cairo and Alexandria flights to Riyadh until operations resume.
- —The trigger Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was attacked on Saturday afternoon.
- —Also halted Air Cairo cancelled its Sunday, 11 October flight to Riyadh.
- —Passengers Free rebooking to other Saudi cities, or refunds without cancellation fees.
- —US angle The US Embassy urged Americans to avoid the airport and surrounding areas.
- —Still open No restart date, and no confirmed official toll for Saturday.
Egypt’s national airline has cut its link to the Saudi capital as attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthis hit regional air routes.
EgyptAir, Egypt’s state-owned flag carrier, suspended its flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh late on Saturday, 10 October. The decision followed an attack that afternoon on King Khalid International Airport, which halted operations in the Saudi capital.
The EgyptAir Riyadh flights will stay grounded until the airport reopens, the airline said in a statement carried by Youm7. For US readers, it shows the Houthi-claimed campaign against Saudi Arabia now disrupting travel between two close Arab partners of Washington.
What EgyptAir Announced
EgyptAir said the suspension was due to the temporary halt of operations at King Khalid International Airport “due to the current situation.” It said the step was taken in coordination with Saudi civil aviation authorities.
Youm7, one of Egypt’s most-read news sites, published the Arabic statement at 21:44 UTC on Saturday. Ahram Online, the English service of the state-owned Al-Ahram group, carried the same terms.
Passengers with confirmed tickets can switch to any other EgyptAir destination inside Saudi Arabia without change fees or fare differences. Those who prefer to cancel can claim a full refund without a cancellation fee.
The airline said its Integrated Operations Centre is monitoring the situation around the clock. Customers can call 1717 from a mobile phone in Egypt, 090070000 from a landline, or +97142306666 from abroad.
Air Cairo, a low-cost airline owned by EgyptAir, also suspended its Riyadh flight scheduled for Sunday, 11 October. It asked passengers to check their bookings and follow its updates.
What Happened at the Riyadh Airport
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the kingdom’s regulator, said the airport “was targeted in an attack on Saturday afternoon.” It said several people were injured and that the number was still being assessed.
Operations were temporarily suspended after the strike, according to the authority’s statement as reported by Ahram Online. It was the latest in a series of attacks on Saudi civil airports this week.
Attacks on Thursday, 8 October, killed three Saudi citizens, including a pilot for the national airline Saudia, the authority said on Friday. An earlier strike on the Riyadh airport, reported by the authority on Wednesday, injured two Egyptians, the Saudi daily Okaz said.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the political bureau of the Houthis’ Ansar Allah movement, said the group was behind the attack. “Yes, these attacks are Yemeni attacks,” he said, according to Masrawy, an Egyptian news site.
He said the aim was to force the Saudi leadership to accept “comprehensive and lasting peace.” The Houthis control much of northern Yemen and are backed by Iran.
How Cairo Responded
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on Saturday as a “flagrant violation of international law,” Ahram Online reported. It reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in protecting its security, sovereignty and citizens.
Saudi Arabia is one of the main destinations for Egyptian workers and pilgrims, so the Riyadh route matters to many families. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was on a visit to Indonesia on Sunday, after a stop in Malaysia.
On Sunday, Masrawy, citing Al-Ghad, quoted the Saudi authority as saying Saturday’s attack killed 12 people and injured 309. That report listed one Egyptian and one American among the dead.
The report said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, saying they showed blatant disregard for innocent civilian lives. He called for them to stop immediately, Masrawy reported, citing the outlet Al-Ghad.
What It Means for US Readers
The US Embassy in Riyadh said it was aware of attacks at the airport on 10 October. It “strongly recommends all U.S. citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas,” according to Ahram Online.
Canada, Germany and Spain issued similar warnings to their citizens. Americans with onward connections via Cairo to Riyadh fall under the same EgyptAir rebooking and refund terms.
The strikes widen the regional war that began on 28 February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Houthi attacks have already pushed shipping away from the Red Sea, cutting traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal.
For investors, a wider Houthi campaign raises risks for Gulf aviation, oil supply and Egypt’s foreign-currency income. Egypt is a major recipient of US military aid and a key partner on Gaza diplomacy.
What Is Not Known
The reported toll of 12 dead, including an Egyptian and an American, is not confirmed in a published Saudi statement. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry had not named any Egyptian victim of Saturday’s attack by Sunday morning.
EgyptAir gave no restart date and did not say how many flights or passengers are affected. It is also unclear whether Saudi authorities have reopened King Khalid International Airport.
What Comes Next
EgyptAir says it will resume Riyadh service once operations restart and will post updates. Its flights to other Saudi cities were not part of Saturday’s suspension.
The suspension does not mean Egypt has cut air links with Saudi Arabia. It covers only Riyadh, and only until the airport is cleared to operate again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did EgyptAir suspend its Riyadh flights?
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh temporarily halted operations after an attack on Saturday, 10 October. EgyptAir said it suspended the route in coordination with Saudi civil aviation authorities.
Which flights are affected?
EgyptAir flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh are suspended until operations resume. Air Cairo also cancelled its Riyadh flight on Sunday, 11 October.
What can passengers with tickets do?
They can switch to another EgyptAir destination in Saudi Arabia without change fees or fare differences. They can also cancel and get a full refund without a cancellation fee.
Who is behind the attack on the Riyadh airport?
Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said the Yemeni group carried out the attack, according to Masrawy. The Houthis are backed by Iran and control much of northern Yemen.
What has the US Embassy told Americans?
The US Embassy in Riyadh strongly recommended that all US citizens avoid the airport and surrounding areas. Canada, Germany and Spain issued similar warnings.
Sources: EgyptAir statement via Youm7; Ahram Online (EgyptAir); Ahram Online (Air Cairo); Ahram Online (GACA statement); Ahram Online (embassy warnings); Ahram Online (Egyptian Foreign Ministry); Masrawy (al-Bukhaiti); Masrawy (Rubio, toll report); Okaz (all accessed 11 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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