Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Riyadh in response to the escalating security situation in the Middle East, a spokesperson confirmed on Friday. The airline advised passengers to contact its call centre before heading to the airport to verify the latest flight status.
Passengers can obtain updated information by calling PIA’s call centre at 111-786-786. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the suspension but did not specify when normal operations would resume.
The suspension follows intensified attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Saudi Arabia, which targeted airports in Riyadh and Abha on Thursday. These assaults damaged a Saudi passenger aircraft and threatened critical energy infrastructure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia.
Reports indicate that a commercial plane operated by Saudi state carrier Saudia Airlines was severely damaged after catching fire while parked near a terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Sources suggest the damage resulted from shrapnel or a projectile strike. Fortunately, no passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time.
Verified footage showed flames and thick black smoke rising from the airport following the attack. The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the Riyadh airport and warned of further strikes on energy facilities, advising workers to avoid power plants and other sensitive sites.
Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted missile struck a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and another targeting the Khamis Mushayt airbase.
The attacks have severely disrupted air travel, prompting airlines such as Lufthansa and Air India to suspend flights to Riyadh. Aviation analytics firm Cirium noted that nearly half of all departures from Riyadh airport were cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday.
Saudi authorities confirmed that three people were killed in the recent strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports during the week, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
