Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended flights to Riyadh on Friday, October 9, as escalating Saudi-Houthi fighting disrupted air travel to the kingdom’s capital.
An airline spokesperson announced the temporary suspension “in view of the situation in the Middle East”.
PIA advised passengers to check their flight status through its call centre at 111-786-786 before leaving for the airport. The airline apologised for the disruption but provided no date for resuming operations.
The decision follows consecutive days of attacks and widespread cancellations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Other international carriers have also halted services as concerns over aviation safety deepen.
Flightradar24 figures cited by Dawn showed 104 cancelled arrivals and departures on Friday, along with 154 delayed flights. The tracking service recorded 335 cancellations on Thursday.
These figures cover the airport’s wider operations, including multiple airlines. They represent a snapshot of disruption and may change as carriers revise their schedules.
Wednesday’s attacks on King Khalid and Abha international airports killed three people. Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes against both transport hubs.
A Pakistani national suffered injuries in the Riyadh attack, alongside five Saudi citizens and two Egyptians. Abha airport, the other target, lies in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Another attack targeted Riyadh airport on Thursday, with reports describing severe damage to a commercial aircraft.
Reuters reported that fire heavily damaged a Saudia plane parked at a terminal. Sources attributed the damage to shrapnel or a direct projectile hit.
They believed the aircraft carried no passengers at the time. Their account did not establish whether anyone suffered injuries in that incident.
The disruption has prompted several airlines to announce temporary Riyadh suspensions. Lufthansa Group halted flights until October 16, according to Reuters.
IndiGo cancelled services until October 9. Air India and Akasa Air announced cancellations through October 10.
An Air India flight from Delhi turned back to the Indian capital on Thursday as the security situation deteriorated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Friday. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
Radio Pakistan reported that Shehbaz also supported the kingdom’s right to defend its people, cities and vital infrastructure.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the defence pact on August 7. The agreement seeks collective deterrence through a commitment to treat an attack against one member as an attack against all.
On October 5, Pakistan and Turkiye agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in Saudi Arabia.
PIA had previously suspended flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait on March 1, following the US-Iran war’s outbreak. It continued Saudi services at that stage, using longer alternative routes.
Friday’s suspension specifically covers Riyadh. PIA’s immediate advice remains for passengers to confirm their individual flight arrangements before travelling to the airport.
