Flydubai, Etihad extend Saudi flight cancellations amid Houthi attacks

UAE carriers Etihad Airways and flydubai extended Saudi flight cancellations on Monday, Khaleej Times reported. The move follows Houthi attacks on Saudi airports. Flydubai said flights to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh are cancelled up to and including October 14.

Have flights to Saudi Arabia been cancelled?

Yes. Flydubai has cancelled flights to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh up to and including October 14. Etihad has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh on October 12 and 13. Both airlines say further schedule changes are possible.

A flydubai spokesperson said the airline continues to monitor the situation closely. It will update customers through its official channels on any schedule changes.

What are the refund and rebooking options for flydubai passengers?

Affected customers can visit the Manage Your Booking section on flydubai.com to view refund or rebooking options. Those who booked through a travel agent should contact the agent directly.

Are Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia cancelled?

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways extended cancellations on routes between Abu Dhabi and three Saudi cities: Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh. The cancellations cover October 12 and 13 due to regional disruption.

On October 12, Etihad cancelled four flights on each route:

• Abu Dhabi and Dammam: EY575 and EY573, plus return flights EY576 and EY574
• Abu Dhabi and Jeddah: EY601 and EY603, plus return flights EY602 and EY604
• Abu Dhabi and Riyadh: EY559 and EY555, plus return flights EY560 and EY556

On October 13, the airline cancelled these flights:

• Abu Dhabi and Dammam: EY575 and EY576
• Abu Dhabi to Jeddah: EY603
• Jeddah to Abu Dhabi: EY602 and EY604
• Abu Dhabi to Riyadh: EY551
• Riyadh to Abu Dhabi: EY552

Etihad said the situation remains dynamic. Further changes to its schedule are possible.

How badly are Saudi airports disrupted?

Houthi attacks on airports have severely disrupted flights across Saudi Arabia. Airlines have canceled services, suspended operations and warned passengers of further changes.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is among the hardest hit. Repeated attacks there led to operational suspensions and widespread cancellations. Airports in Jeddah, Dammam and other parts of the kingdom have also been affected. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for several strikes.

The disruption has affected connections to major regional and international destinations. Passengers face delays, missed connections and uncertainty over their travel plans. Several international airlines have suspended or adjusted flights to Riyadh as security concerns persist.

What should travelers do before heading to the airport?

Travelers should check flight status directly with their airlines before heading to airports. Further cancellations and schedule changes remain possible as carriers assess security conditions and await updates from aviation authorities.