Little airport activity despite Saudi Arabia reopening Riyadh terminals after Houthi attacks; flights remain limited
Terminals resume limited operations
The airport said late Saturday that Terminal 1 would handle domestic flights from Sunday. Terminal 2 was assigned to international services run by national carriers. Despite the reopening announcement, Flightradar24 data showed little traffic at the airport on Sunday. The report did not specify how many flights operated.
Threats and interception claims
It has not been confirmed whether those claims refer to the attacks Riyadh said it stopped. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the airport would “never be safe” and urged airlines, workers and travelers to stay away.
Damage and wider conflict
Saudi civil defense said debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles injured two people in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah. Residential buildings and vehicles were also damaged. Authorities issued alerts for Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran on Sunday, then said the danger had passed minutes later. The Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis carried out 20 airport attacks between October 1 and 11.
Key points
- Two Riyadh airport terminals reopened on Sunday, but flight-tracking data showed little activity.
- The Houthis claimed attacks on the airport and locations including Jazan and Khamis Mushait.
- Saudi Arabia said intercepted missile debris injured two people and damaged buildings and vehicles.
- It remains unconfirmed whether Houthi claims match the strikes Saudi Arabia says it intercepted.