Latest update: 14 October 2026, 06:15am

Airlines operating between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are continuing to cancel flights on Wednesday, October 14, as disruption spreads across the kingdom’s aviation network following a series of deadly attacks on its airports.

More than 300 departures scheduled from Saudi airports on Wednesday have already been cancelled or listed as not operating, while the total number of affected flights over the past week has exceeded 3,100.

The disruption has affected Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia and several international carriers, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remaining closed until at least October 17.

According to the latest figures from aviation analytics firm Cirium, reported by Khaleej Times late on Tuesday, 313 of 1,097 scheduled departures from Saudi airports on October 14 were listed as cancelled or not operating, representing 28.53 per cent of services.

The updated data also shows that 556 of 1,058 departures on Tuesday, October 13, were cancelled or marked as not operating, representing 52.55 per cent.

Monday was even more severely affected, with 632 of 1,048 scheduled departures cancelled or not operating, equivalent to 60.31 per cent.

Overall, more than 3,100 flights, or approximately 40 per cent of scheduled services, have been affected between October 8 and 14, according to the data.

The figures remain subject to change as airlines revise their schedules.

Here is the latest airline-by-airline update.

Emirates: Dubai-Riyadh flights continue to face cancellations

Emirates continues to face significant disruption across its Saudi Arabian network, particularly on flights connecting Dubai with Riyadh.

The airline previously listed Dubai-Riyadh services EK815, EK817 and EK819 as cancelled on October 13, alongside return service EK816.

Flight-tracking information also shows Emirates flight EK817 from Dubai to Riyadh as cancelled for Wednesday, October 14.

Services to Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah have also experienced cancellations in recent days, although the disruption does not necessarily affect every flight on these routes.

Some services previously reported as cancelled have subsequently reappeared on published schedules.

For example, flight EK821 from Dubai to Dammam, which was still cancelled on October 14, was subsequently listed as scheduled for October 15.

However, a flight appearing on a published schedule does not confirm that it will operate.

Passengers are advised to check their individual flight numbers through Emirates’ official flight-status service before travelling.

Etihad Airways: Riyadh flights cancelled until October 19

Etihad Airways has confirmed that all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have been cancelled until Monday, October 19, extending disruption to services between the UAE capital and Saudi Arabia into next week.

The airline has also cancelled flights to Dammam and Jeddah, with different dates applying to the affected routes.

Dammam

All flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam on Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, have been cancelled.

Jeddah

The following flights have been cancelled through Wednesday, October 14:

• EY601: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah
• EY602: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi
• EY603: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah
• EY604: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi

Etihad has also cancelled flights EY603 and EY604 on Thursday, October 15.

The airline has warned that further adjustments remain possible as it monitors the situation.

Passengers affected by the cancellations can contact Etihad or their booking agent regarding rebooking and refund arrangements.

flydubai: Riyadh, Dammam and Abha cancellations extended to October 19

flydubai has extended flight cancellations to several Saudi Arabian destinations until October 19, including Riyadh, Dammam and Abha.

The announcement on Tuesday extends an earlier suspension covering services until October 14.

In a statement, a flydubai spokesperson confirmed that the airline anticipated further changes to its scheduled Saudi operations because of the current situation.

The carrier said it continued to monitor developments closely and would provide customers with updates through its official communication channels.

The disruption affects several Dubai-Riyadh services, including flights FZ841, FZ847 and FZ855, alongside flights serving Dammam and Abha.

However, the airline’s announcement does not amount to a suspension of its entire Saudi Arabian network.

Other destinations, including AlUla, have appeared on flight schedules during the disruption.

Passengers should therefore check their individual bookings rather than assume that all flydubai flights to Saudi Arabia have been cancelled.

Air Arabia: Sharjah-Riyadh and Abha services affected

Air Arabia has experienced cancellations across selected routes connecting Sharjah with Saudi Arabia.

Flights G9151 and G9154 serving Riyadh were listed as cancelled on October 13, alongside flight G9195 to Abha.

Earlier cancellations also affected selected services to Taif and other Saudi destinations.

Some of these services continue to appear on flight-tracking schedules for October 14, although their appearance does not establish that they will depart.

Given the continuing closure of Riyadh airport, travellers should not rely solely on published timetables.

Air Arabia passengers are advised to confirm their flight status directly with the airline, particularly for services scheduled overnight or early in the morning.

Qatar Airways: Riyadh and Dammam services suspended

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam because of the regional situation.

The Doha-based carrier has not announced a confirmed resumption date for the affected routes.

Passengers travelling between Qatar and Saudi Arabia should check directly with the airline for the latest operational information.

International airlines extend Saudi flight suspensions

Several international carriers have extended cancellations, with some postponing services until later this year or into 2027.

According to the latest Reuters airline update issued on October 13, the following measures remain in place:

• Air France-KLM: Services to and from Riyadh suspended until the end of October.
• Air India: Flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah suspended until October 17.
• Akasa Air: Flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah suspended until October 17.
• Cathay Pacific: Resumption of Hong Kong-Riyadh and Hong Kong-Dubai routes postponed through January 31, 2027.
• Delta Air Lines: Launch of the planned Atlanta-Riyadh service postponed until March 2027.
• Gulf Air: Flights between Bahrain and Riyadh cancelled from October 12 to 17.
• IndiGo: Flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah cancelled until October 17.
• Lufthansa Group: All Riyadh flights cancelled until October 16.
• Malaysia Airlines: Flights to and from Jeddah and Madinah cancelled until October 17 as a precautionary measure.
• Philippine Airlines: Riyadh services suspended until November 29.
• Qatar Airways: Flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam temporarily suspended, with no confirmed resumption date.

The latest announcements represent extensions to several earlier advisories, particularly those issued by Indian airlines.

Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have all extended their cancellations to October 17 as the disruption continues.

When will Riyadh airport reopen?

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport while authorities complete safety inspections and assessments of the airport’s operational readiness.

A Notice to Airmen issued on Monday indicated that the airport would remain closed until 2100 GMT on October 17, equivalent to midnight in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of October 18.

However, this represents the currently published closure deadline rather than a guaranteed reopening time.

The closure follows repeated attacks on the airport by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, including a deadly strike on Saturday, October 10, that killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300.

A further attack on Sunday resulted in additional casualties.

The disruption has affected domestic and international operations throughout the kingdom, with cancellations extending well beyond Riyadh.

Passengers are advised to check their airline’s official flight-status service before travelling to the airport, particularly as further cancellations and schedule changes remain possible.

• *Flight information remains subject to change. A flight appearing as scheduled does not guarantee its operation, while an earlier cancellation does not necessarily mean subsequent services on the same route remain suspended.

Shrapnel from intercepted Houthi cruise missiles fell on 15 residential homes in Riyadh, injuring four people, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday after Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles launched towards the capital by Yemen’s Houthi militia.

According to authorities, the falling debris injured two women, a man and a child, while causing limited material damage to 15 residential properties.

Emergency teams responded to the affected neighbourhoods.

The Saudi-led coalition also confirmed a series of missile and drone interceptions across the kingdom.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said air defences had intercepted and destroyed missiles targeting Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Three drones were also destroyed north of Riyadh, while ballistic missiles targeting Dhahran and Haradh were intercepted.

Saudi Aramco building targeted in Dhahran

The latest interceptions came amid another attack on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure.

The Saudi Ministry of Energy confirmed that an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Dhahran had been targeted on Tuesday, causing a limited fire.

Authorities said the incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities.

Separately, debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in a residential area of Dhahran, according to the Saudi-led coalition.

Saudi Arabia warns Houthis of consequences

The attacks followed a warning from Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, that the Houthis would face consequences for their repeated strikes against the kingdom.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, the Cabinet condemned attacks targeting Saudi airports, Makkah, Madinah, civilian infrastructure and economic facilities.

It also reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to protecting maritime navigation through the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a critical route for international trade and energy shipments.

The latest incidents follow a deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, which killed 13 people and injured more than 300. The airport was targeted again on Sunday, resulting in another death and further injuries.

Saudi-led coalition intensifies operations in Yemen

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition carried out fresh military operations against Houthi-controlled facilities in Yemen on Tuesday.

The coalition said its strikes targeted infrastructure used by the Houthis to support missile and drone operations, including fuel storage facilities near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

The latest escalation comes as fighting intensifies between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen, with both sides exchanging attacks.

Story updated on 14 October with further details.

The Saudi-led coalition has confirmed carrying out a military operation targeting fuel infrastructure in Yemen, including a facility in the capital Sanaa, as the Iran-aligned Houthi movement threatened further attacks on Riyadh and Saudi Aramco installations.

The coalition said on Tuesday, October 13, that the operation was aimed at disrupting resources allegedly used by the Houthis to sustain their military campaign against Saudi Arabia.

Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki identified several facilities, including the Yemen Petroleum Company’s Al-Sabahah central fuel station in Sanaa, underground fuel reserves, storage tanks and fuel transport infrastructure in Hodeidah, Sanaa and Dhamar.

The coalition accused the Houthis of using civilian infrastructure and energy resources to support their missile and drone operations, including attacks on Saudi airports, energy facilities and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

It said the operation was intended to neutralise the group’s military capabilities and that precautions had been taken to minimise civilian casualties and damage.

The announcement followed an earlier evacuation warning issued by the coalition’s joint forces command, which published a map identifying the Al-Sabahah facility and urged civilians to leave the area.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah television subsequently reported that the facility had been struck, while other strikes were reported against fuel infrastructure in Houthi-controlled territory.

The Yemen Petroleum Company said the Al-Sabahah facility held no petroleum stocks at the time of the attack and that the strike had not affected fuel reserves or supply chains.

Houthis threaten retaliation against Riyadh, Aramco

Responding to the coalition’s operation, the Houthis warned that attacks on Sanaa would be met with a “harsh and painful” response targeting Saudi Arabia.

The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, warned employees and civilians near Saudi Aramco facilities to evacuate, describing the installations as legitimate military targets.

The threats included Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran and an oil refinery in Riyadh, raising concerns about further disruption to the kingdom’s energy infrastructure.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Dhahran had been targeted, resulting in a limited fire but no reported injuries.

Saudi air defences also intercepted several missiles and drones across the kingdom, including three drones destroyed north of Riyadh.

Escalation follows deadly Riyadh airport attacks

The latest developments follow a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure, including a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday.

The attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities.

A further attack on Sunday struck Terminal 4 at the airport, causing a fire and additional casualties.

The attacks have severely disrupted flights across the kingdom, forcing the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s main international airport and prompting several international airlines to cancel services.

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, warned that the Houthis would face consequences for their repeated attacks on the kingdom.

The Cabinet also backed the coalition’s military operations in Yemen and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting international maritime navigation through the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the schedule for Class 12 special examinations for students in the UAE and other West Asian countries, with the exams set to take place from October 23 to 28, 2026.

In a circular dated October 8, the board confirmed that the examinations are being organised for students who were unable to sit certain papers during the March–April examination period due to the prevailing situation in the region.

The announcement follows an earlier CBSE circular issued on September 15, which directed eligible candidates from West Asia to submit their List of Candidates (LOC) for subjects in which examinations could not be conducted.

According to the latest notification, the special examinations will be conducted over five days, covering subjects including mathematics, economics, political science, business studies, biology, computer science and English.

CBSE Class 12 special exam timetable

The board has released the following schedule for eligible candidates:

Most examinations will take place from 10.30am to 1.30pm, while the Physical Activity Trainer and Artificial Intelligence papers will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

CBSE confirms examination centres and admit cards

The CBSE said that one examination centre has been designated in each participating country, based on the LOC submitted by candidates.

Students have been instructed to download their admit cards from October 12, 2026, using the same login credentials they used during the application process.

“Candidates are requested to download their admit cards from 12 October 2026 onwards, from the same login they applied for, and appear for examinations as per date sheet enclosed,” the board stated.

The circular, signed by Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, confirms that the special examinations are intended for candidates who completed the required registration process.

he announcement provides a revised examination schedule for affected Class 12 students, allowing them to take papers that could not be held during the original examination window.

Students are advised to refer to their admit cards for examination centre details and follow the official schedule published by the board.

The complete date sheet is available through the official CBSE website.

The Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has announced a new regulatory initiative to standardise leisure boat anchoring and the use of recreational mooring buoys across Dubai’s waters.

The initiative includes Circular No. 35 of 2026, which sets out guidelines for leisure anchorage and recreational mooring buoys ahead of their implementation.

The new framework is intended to strengthen navigational safety, streamline regulatory requirements and establish consistent operating standards for Dubai’s growing recreational maritime sector.

The guidelines will apply to stakeholders involved in recreational marine activities, including boat and yacht owners, marine craft operators, agents, marinas and marine service providers.

What Dubai’s new leisure boating guidelines cover

The circular establishes a unified framework for safe and orderly anchoring practices, with a focus on navigational safety and marine environmental protection.

The Dubai Maritime Authority said compliance will include adherence to anchoring requirements, regulations designed to prevent collisions at sea and established principles of good seamanship.

Marine operators and recreational boat users will also be expected to follow environmental protection requirements and avoid activities that could harm Dubai’s marine ecosystem.

The authority stressed the importance of immediately reporting maritime incidents and emergencies to enable a prompt and effective response.

Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said: “This initiative strengthens navigational safety and ensures the orderly use of leisure anchoring areas and recreational mooring buoys in Dubai waters. It supports the sustainable growth of recreational maritime activities and ensures that regulations and guidance are clear to all stakeholders, underlining Dubai’s commitment to consolidating its position as a global hub for safe and well-regulated marine activities.”

Dubai Maritime Authority to monitor compliance

The Dubai Maritime Authority said it will monitor the implementation of the regulatory measures to ensure compliance with the new guidelines.

The circular and accompanying requirements will be applied in accordance with authorised procedures and in coordination with relevant government entities and maritime stakeholders.

The initiative forms part of Dubai’s broader strategy to develop its maritime ecosystem and strengthen its position as an international destination for recreational boating and marine tourism.

The authority said compliance with the guidelines is a shared responsibility among all maritime users, with the measures intended to support a safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable recreational marine sector.