Saudia Captain Among 3 Saudis Killed in Riyadh Airport Attack, GACA Says Flights Are Back to Normal

A Saudia captain was among three Saudi citizens killed in a Riyadh airport attack on Thursday 8 October 2026, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Friday. Two separate strikes hit King Khalid International Airport: one on airport facilities and one on a Saudia aircraft parked on the ground. GACA says operations have resumed and air traffic is back to normal.

This is a new incident. It comes after the 6 and 7 October attacks on Abha and King Khalid airports, which GACA said left three people dead and 36 injured.

What happened at King Khalid International Airport

GACA described two attacks on Thursday. The first targeted airport facilities, and the second targeted a Saudia aircraft. Emergency teams responded straight away under the airport’s safety and emergency plans.

• Killed: three Saudi nationals, according to GACA.
• Named victim: Captain Hamoud Ali Al-Kalthami, a Saudia pilot. The airline confirmed his death in a statement and an obituary on Friday.
• Injured: a number of Saudi citizens and residents of other nationalities, with injuries from minor to critical. All were taken to hospital. GACA has not published a total.
• Aircraft: Saudia said one of its planes was damaged while on the ground, with no passengers on board.

Neither GACA nor Saudia has said who carried out the attacks. GACA says it is working with the security agencies to assess the damage and check that airport facilities are safe.

Is the Riyadh airport attack still affecting flights?

According to GACA, no: airport operations have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal. Saudia said its Riyadh flights and operations were back to normal from 6pm on 8 October, and that it is monitoring schedules and will contact affected passengers through its official channels.

Foreign airlines are a different matter. Several carriers announced their own Riyadh cancellations earlier this week, and those decisions are made by each airline, not by GACA. A normal airport does not mean your specific flight is running.

Who is affected

Anyone flying through King Khalid International Airport in the coming days, including expats with exit re-entry visas booked for family visits, business travellers, and people collecting relatives from arrivals. Residents with injured relatives or colleagues should contact the hospital directly, as GACA has not released a list of names beyond the Saudia captain.

What expats in Riyadh should do now

1. Check your flight with the airline before leaving home. Use the airline’s app or website, not a forwarded WhatsApp message.
2. Allow extra time at the airport. GACA is still assessing the site, so expect possible delays at security and drop-off.
3. Keep your exit re-entry dates in view. If a cancellation pushes your return past the visa expiry, extend it on Absher before it lapses rather than after.
4. Follow official channels only. GACA’s accounts and the Saudi Press Agency carry confirmed updates. Avoid sharing unverified clips or casualty claims from social media.
5. Register with your embassy if you have not already, so you receive any advisory issued for your community.

What is still unconfirmed

GACA has not yet said how many people were injured on Thursday, how badly the airport was damaged, or who was responsible. Updates will come through GACA’s official website and its accounts on X.

For now, the airport is open and Saudia is flying normally. Check your booking, keep your documents in order, and rely on official statements rather than social media.

Flight cancelled or delayed? See what airlines still owe you under GACA rules, and how to get a refund, in our flight delay and cancellation rights guide.