Three Saudis Killed in Houthi-Claimed Attacks on Riyadh Airport and Saudia Plane
Saudi aviation authorities reported three deaths and injuries ranging from minor to severe. Saudia said its damaged aircraft had no passengers aboard.
Three Saudi citizens were killed and people of several nationalities were wounded in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, 8 October 2026, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said on 9 October. One attack targeted airport facilities and the other a Saudia aircraft.
The Iran backed Houthis claimed an attack on the airport. The aviation authority's casualty statement did not itself identify the attackers, so the group's claim and the official Saudi account of the damage remain separately attributed.
Emergency crews respond to two attacks
In its statement, carried by Saudi and regional media, the authority said the wounded included citizens and residents of different nationalities. Their injuries ranged from minor to “severe,” and they were taken to hospital for treatment.
Emergency teams and the relevant agencies responded under established procedures, the authority said. It reported material damage and continuing coordination with security bodies to assess the impact and protect passengers, airport workers and civil aviation operations.
The statement provided no total number of wounded. Its announcement of three Saudi deaths concerns the attacks on 8 October, rather than the separate attacks on Abha and Riyadh reported earlier in the week.
Saudia confirms a pilot's death
Saudia said one of its aircraft was damaged while parked at the airport and that no passengers were aboard at the time. The airline also mourned Captain Hamoud al-Kalthami, identifying him as one of those killed in the airport incident.
The carrier said it activated emergency procedures with the authorities and was providing assistance to those affected and their families. It announced that its Riyadh flights and operations had returned to normal from 18:00 on 8 October, while continuing to monitor schedules and communicate with passengers.
That operational update describes the airline's stated recovery after the attack. It does not mean every other carrier restored its own services at the same time; international airlines were separately reviewing flights as security conditions changed.
Houthis claim responsibility, coalition reports strikes
The Houthis said they had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile, according to the Associated Press. Their claim places civilian aviation infrastructure at the centre of the latest escalation between the group and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi led coalition said on 9 October that it had destroyed three Houthi missile launch platforms. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said attacks on civilians and civilian facilities would receive a firm response.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi condemned the airport attack and reiterated support for Saudi security. For travellers, the immediate practical distinction is between an airport resuming operations and an individual flight being confirmed: the airline's current notice remains the relevant check before departure.
