Thursday’s two attacks killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali al-Kalthami, and injured several others, Saudi aviation authorities said. The first targeted airport facilities and the second a parked Saudia aircraft, which was damaged with no passengers aboard. The Houthis claimed attacks on the airport, including one using two cruise missiles. Saudi Civil Defense said debris from an intercepted missile also damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh.
The reopening follows flight suspensions by several carriers. Pakistan International Airlines temporarily halted all Riyadh flights Friday, while Lufthansa’s suspension runs through October 16 and Air India canceled service through October 10. The US requires government employees to obtain special authorization to use the airport, and Britain advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh and several other Saudi regions.