114 flights cancelled in Pakistan amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Flight operations across Pakistan have faced major disruption following attacks on Saudi airports and restrictions on air travel in the region.
According to aviation sources cited in local media reports, 114 flights across the country were cancelled or listed as non-operational over 24 hours. Another 77 flights were delayed. The disruption has affected services between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as domestic routes connecting major cities.
Passengers travelling for work, business, family visits and religious purposes may face longer waiting times, cancelled journeys and changes to their travel plans. The reported figures cover the stated 24-hour period. They do not mean that every flight between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has been suspended.
Riyadh airport closure affects 28 flights
The closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has worsened disruption for travellers between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. According to aviation sources, restrictions led to the cancellation of 28 flights scheduled to operate between Pakistan and Riyadh.
Saudi authorities have extended the closure of Riyadh airport until October 17 following deadly attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The shutdown has forced international airlines to cancel or adjust services to the Saudi capital.
The disruption has affected airline schedules and left passengers uncertain about departure and arrival times. Travellers booked on flights to Riyadh should confirm their flight status directly with their airlines before leaving for the airport.
PIA flight diverted to an alternative airport
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has also been affected by the disruption.
According to reported flight updates, PIA flight PK-765, scheduled to travel from Multan to Riyadh, was diverted to an alternative airport.
The diversion shows how restrictions at a destination airport can affect a flight even after it has departed from Pakistan.
Passengers on affected services may need to wait for further instructions from their airlines about onward travel and revised arrival arrangements. Airlines may change routes, divert aircraft or cancel services depending on airport restrictions and operational safety requirements.
Flights to Jeddah and Dammam also affected
The disruption has extended beyond Riyadh to other Saudi destinations. Two flights from Karachi to Jeddah were reported cancelled. One flight each from Sialkot and Multan to Dammam was also among the affected services.
These cancellations have added to uncertainty for passengers travelling to different parts of Saudi Arabia. However, the reported cancellations do not mean that all flights to Jeddah and Dammam have been suspended. Passengers should check the latest information for their specific flights.
Lahore-Madinah flights delayed by five hours
Flight schedules from Lahore have also been affected. Saudi Arabian Airlines flights SV-724 and SV-725, operating between Lahore and Madinah, were reported to be delayed by around five hours.
The delays may affect passengers’ onward travel plans, airport transfers and arrangements at their destinations.
Also Read: Lahore airport cancels several flights amid rising Gulf tensions
Travellers should check whether their departure times have changed and remain in contact with their airlines for updated information. The situation may change as airlines adjust their schedules in response to restrictions and developments at Saudi airports.
Domestic flights face delays too
The disruption has also affected domestic air travel within Pakistan. Four flights from Lahore to Skardu were reported delayed by between two and a half and three hours.
Meanwhile, five flights from Karachi to Lahore experienced delays ranging from three to eight hours. Seven flights from Karachi to Islamabad were also delayed, with waiting times reported at between one and five hours.
These delays can affect passengers with connecting flights, planned meetings and onward transport arrangements. Travellers should check updated departure information before heading to the airport and allow extra time for their journeys.
Why are flights being disrupted?
The immediate disruption is linked to restrictions on Saudi airport operations following attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The closure of Riyadh airport has forced airlines to adjust their schedules, while wider security concerns have affected services to and from Saudi Arabia.
Reuters reported that several international airlines had suspended or cancelled flights following the attacks on Riyadh airport. Saudi authorities extended the closure until October 17 to allow safety checks and assessments of the airport’s operational readiness.
However, the impact varies by airline, route and destination. A suspension of flights to Riyadh does not automatically mean that all services to Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries have stopped.
Passengers should rely on confirmed updates from their airlines and aviation authorities rather than assume that every route is affected in the same way.
What should passengers do?
Passengers with upcoming flights should check their booking status directly with the relevant airline before leaving home. They should confirm departure times, cancellation notices and revised arrangements through official airline websites, mobile applications or customer service channels.
Travellers whose flights have been cancelled should ask their airlines about rebooking, refunds and other assistance available under their ticket conditions. Passengers with connecting flights should also confirm whether delays or cancellations could affect the rest of their journeys.
