Houthi Attacks Ground 86% of Scheduled Flights at Riyadh Airport

Houthi missile attacks have disrupted flights across Saudi Arabia, with 86% of scheduled flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport grounded, intensifying concerns about security in Saudi airspace.

Disruptions have also affected air travel elsewhere in the country, extending the aviation impact beyond the capital. The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for another strike shortly after the airport tried to resume operations, adding to concerns about further interruptions.

A formal Saudi airspace closure is a central concern as the security situation develops. A market contract on whether Saudi Arabia would close its airspace by Jan. 1, 2027, was priced at 20.5% YES; a separate Nov. 1, 2026, contract was at 2.9%. Those are market prices, not decisions by Saudi authorities.

Attention is on the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS), whose actions may influence expectations around any closure. Further Houthi attacks or a Saudi military response could also affect market expectations for the contracts.