GACA Extends Suspension of Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on October 12 that the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been extended to allow completion of procedures verifying the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in the strongest terms the continued attacks by the Houthi group on the airport, which it said resulted in injuries to a number of civilians, and affirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia along with support for measures safeguarding its security and stability.

The extension follows successive strikes on the airport earlier in the week. Saudi authorities had previously reported an October 10 attack that killed 12 people, including one U.S. citizen, and injured 309, and an October 11 projectile strike on Terminal 4 that killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11.

Airport operations remained suspended into October 12 while damage assessments continued.

GACA Extends Airport Operations Suspension

• Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on October 12 that the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been extended to complete procedures verifying the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

• United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in the strongest terms the continued attacks by the Houthi group on King Khalid International Airport, which resulted in injuries to a number of civilians, and reaffirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia along with support for measures safeguarding its security and stability.

• Prior strikes on the airport included an October 10 attack that Saudi authorities said killed 12 people including one U.S. citizen and injured 309, and an October 11 projectile strike on Terminal 4 that killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11.

Official Statements

• Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, October 12: “The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announces that the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been extended to allow the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport’s facilities, in coordination with the relevant authorities.”

• United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 12: “The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the continued attacks by the Houthi group on King Khalid International Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which resulted in injuries to a number of civilians. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that these attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability. The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the Kingdom’s security and stability. The Ministry expressed its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.”