Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
A PIA spokesperson announced the suspension on Friday but did not specify when services would resume. The airline advised passengers to confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Passengers can contact PIA’s call centre at 111-786-786 for the latest information.
Riyadh Airport Faces Major Disruption
The suspension follows a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including its airports and energy infrastructure.
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting Riyadh and other locations. Saudi authorities reported casualties from attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport earlier this week.
The attacks killed three people and injured dozens, according to reports citing Saudi authorities.
Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 recorded 104 cancellations and 154 delays involving arrivals and departures at Riyadh airport on Friday. It recorded 335 cancellations on Thursday, according to the figures cited in the original report.
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The disruption has affected both domestic and international services.
International Airlines Also Suspend Flights
PIA’s decision follows similar moves by several international carriers.
Lufthansa Group suspended flights to Riyadh until October 16, citing developments in the Middle East, according to Reuters.
Indian carriers also announced temporary suspensions. IndiGo cancelled flights to and from Riyadh through October 9, while Air India and Akasa Air halted services through October 10, according to reports.
Airlines have advised passengers to check schedules before travelling, as the security situation remains volatile.
Houthis Claim Missile Attacks
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group launched ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh airport and other locations in Saudi Arabia.
The group also warned workers at Saudi oil facilities to evacuate, raising concerns about possible further attacks on critical infrastructure.
Reuters reported that a commercial aircraft at Riyadh airport caught fire after the attack. The fire was later extinguished. Witness accounts and people briefed on the incident said the aircraft was stationary when it caught fire.
The attacks have also prompted security precautions in Riyadh. Some multinational companies instructed employees to work from home or leave office buildings. Diplomats were reportedly told to shelter in place.
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia on Friday.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the defence agreement in August. The pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence and cooperation among its signatories.
Pakistan and Türkiye also agreed earlier this week to support Saudi Arabia through the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities. Türkiye has said its potential contribution would focus on defensive support rather than offensive operations.
PIA Had Continued Saudi Flights During Earlier Disruptions
PIA suspended services to several Gulf destinations on March 1 after the US-Iran war began. Those destinations included the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
The airline continued operating flights to Saudi Arabia at that time.
The latest suspension extends the disruption to another major destination for Pakistani travellers, including workers and religious pilgrims.
PIA has not announced a date for the resumption of Riyadh services. Passengers should confirm their flight status directly with the airline before travelling to the airport.
