Air India Delhi-Riyadh flight turns back midway as Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports, all Riyadh flights halt till October 10

Air India and Air India Express have suspended their operations to and from Riyadh until October 10, 2026, Air India officials said, PTI reported.

Flight AI2243 had taken off from Delhi and was flying south over Gujarat, and then over the Arabian Sea, when the pilots turned the aircraft around and headed back towards Delhi, according to a TOI report. The report said that the turnaround came amid heightened concerns over safety in Saudi airspace after Houthi attacks on airports, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Also read: Flying gets costlier from October 9: Air India, Air India Express join Akasa Air in fuel surcharge hike; here's what you'll pay


New blasts in Riyadh

Several explosions were heard in Riyadh on Thursday, including a large blast at the city's international airport, a witness told The Associated Press. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the new attack on King Khalid International Airport. They said a ballistic missile caused damage but gave no evidence. Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on the claim, AP reported.

Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, said forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh. They also destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Khamis Mushait in the southwest, near the Yemen border.

The airport "closed again" on Thursday afternoon, flight tracker Flightradar24 said on X, noting that the last landing was more than 80 minutes earlier. The witness told AP that fire and ambulance crews were deployed and smoke was visible. Outgoing flights were halted and passengers were told to leave checked-in luggage and evacuate, the witness said. It was not clear how many flights were affected.

AP reported that the blasts had an immediate effect on markets, and crude oil prices jumped.

Attacks on Saudi airports

Saudi authorities said Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were targeted in attacks on October 6 and 7. Three people were killed and 36 were injured across the two airports. At Abha, two people were killed and 28 wounded. At Riyadh, one person was killed and eight were injured.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility. He said the group hit Saudi airports with ballistic missiles and drones in "response to the Saudi aggression against our country". He also claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out "60 airstrikes and missile attacks in the past 24 hours". This claim has not been independently verified.

Also read: Houthis claim new attack against airport in Saudi capital as witness reports evacuation

Early on Thursday, the Houthis warned global airlines "for the last time" about the consequences of flying through Saudi airspace. They described the airspace as "a theater for our military operations". Airspace over Mecca and Medina is exempt, according to TOI. AP reported that the group also told people in Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities that "represent targets for our forces", as it presses a blockade it recently imposed on the world's top oil exporter.

The Iran-backed group has stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on its energy and other infrastructure. On Wednesday, the US Mission in Saudi Arabia asked American citizens to be extra vigilant. It warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.