Several Gulf airlines suspend flights to Saudi Arabia after Houthi attack on Riyadh airport
Executive summary: Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and several other Gulf airlines said they will suspend flights to Saudi Arabia after Houthi militants attacked Riyadh airport. The suspensions disrupt air links between Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, impacting passenger traffic, airline revenues and regional connectivity.
Who is involved: Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, other Gulf carriers, Houthi militia, Saudi aviation authorities.
Likely next (inference): Airlines will monitor the security situation; flights may resume if attacks cease or remain suspended if the threat persists.
Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and other Gulf carriers announced they will halt flights to Saudi Arabia in the coming days following renewed Houthi militia strikes on Riyadh's airport. The move reflects immediate security concerns that threaten regional air travel and could affect passenger volumes and airline revenues. While the suspensions are presented as precautionary, they underline the vulnerability of Gulf aviation to sporadic conflict spillover. No official timeline for resumption has been given.
What's next — scenarios
Inference: scenarios and probabilities are Beyond's assessment, not reported fact.
Base: quick resumption (40%)
Flights restart within 48 hours as security improves, limiting revenue loss.
- Saudi authorities confirm airport security restored
- No further Houthi attacks reported for 24 hours
- Airlines issue resumption notices
Upside: alternative routing gains (30%)
Airlines shift traffic to other Gulf hubs, benefiting competitors and increasing load factors on regional routes.
- Suspension extends beyond 48 hours
- Passengers rebook via Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Competitor airlines report higher bookings
Downside: prolonged disruption (30%)
Continued security threats keep flights cancelled, leading to measurable revenue hits for the involved carriers.
- Additional Houthi strikes on Saudi airports
- FAA or EASA issue advisory against Gulf‑Saudi routes
- Airlines announce extensions of the suspension
What to watch
- Statements from Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways on flight schedules
- Updates from Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation on airport security
- Reports of further Houthi militia activity near Riyadh
Timeline
- — Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways: Mehrere Fluggesellschaften streichen Flüge nach Saudi-Arabien (Der Spiegel — Wirtschaft)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Air transportation
- Tourism
Historical parallels
- Qatar Airways suspended flights to Saudi Arabia during the 2017 Gulf diplomatic crisis
Key entities
Sources
- Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways: Mehrere Fluggesellschaften streichen Flüge nach Saudi-Arabien — Der Spiegel — Wirtschaft