Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines have stopped flying to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports, the Associated Press reported on Friday, as the Houthis in Yemen keep up missile fire on the kingdom's airports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport in an official statement, a rare move given that Israel and Saudi Arabia have no formal diplomatic relations.
Saudi Skies Under Threat
Airlines Halt Riyadh Flights Under Houthi Fire
Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines have halted flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports after a Houthi missile strike on King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree warned airlines and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace, declaring them vulnerable to attack.
The US Embassy in Riyadh said it was "aware of attacks" and "strongly recommends all US citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas."
The Houthis have claimed four attacks on Saudi Arabia within 24 hours, naming two Aramco facilities in the east of the country, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as targets.
On Saturday, a missile struck the domestic terminal complex at King Khalid airport, affecting Terminals 3 and 4. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation reported at least 12 dead and 309 wounded. Saudi and Bangladeshi nationals were among those killed, along with citizens of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.
Saudi Arabia struck back with airstrikes on Yemen, concentrating on the airport in Sanaa. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen later said an "unidentified projectile" hit Terminal 4 and set off a fire, and that its air defenses shot down a missile close to the airport.
