A parked Saudia commercial aircraft was heavily damaged by fire at a terminal at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing three people briefed on the matter. The sources believed shrapnel or a direct projectile hit caused the damage. The plane was believed to have been empty of passengers, though injuries could not be ruled out. Earlier attacks on King Khalid and Abha airports on October 6 and 7 killed three people and injured 36, Saudi aviation authorities said.
Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights through October 16, while Air India canceled service through October 10. IndiGo and Air India Express also canceled flights to the Saudi capital. Cirium data showed nearly 50% of Riyadh departures had been canceled by 3 p.m. GMT Thursday. US government employees in Saudi Arabia already require special authorization to use King Khalid airport.