Riyadh's primary airport has remained closed for more than a week after a series of strikes by Yemen's Houthis grounded all flights. Al-Monitor reported that the shutdown has exposed vulnerabilities in Saudi Arabia's push to change its global image, affecting airlines, local companies, and residents. The disruption has forced the postponement of several high-profile gatherings, including the Future Investment Initiative, which was moved to 2027. Other cultural and entertainment events, such as a major tennis tournament and music festivals, have also been delayed or cancelled. Al-Monitor noted that the postponement of the investment forum deals another blow to the kingdom's ambitious economic transformation drive.
Government agencies in the capital have instructed staff to work from home, a measure adopted by the 99-storey Kingdom Centre, which hosts the International Monetary Fund's regional hub. Aviation experts told AFP that direct missile attacks on an airport present a unique operational challenge compared to strikes on other targets. The Saudi-led coalition stated that the Houthis hit the airport twenty times in October, prompting spokesman Turki Al-Malki to urge the rebels to stop their operations. A regional airline source said Saudi authorities informed carriers on Friday that the airport would stay closed until further notice, while another source indicated a potential reopening by October 24.
Residents and expatriates are finding alternative ways to travel, with some taking buses to airports in Bahrain and Qatar. Domestic carriers are promoting flights from Qassim airport, located three hours away, to serve the capital's population. One resident described being diverted to Jeddah mid-flight before catching a connecting flight to Qassim. Western embassies have tightened travel advisories, while Saudi ministers have tried to calm concerns. Human Resources Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi recently told an audience at the Riyadh Economic Forum that the capital was safe, saying God would turn the attackers' plots back on them. The situation has also created tension between some Saudis and expatriates who frequently travel home on weekends.