EU–Gulf summit postponed as Riyadh airport remains closed

EU–Gulf summit postponed — October 15 update

The European Union–Gulf Cooperation Council summit scheduled for October 24 in Riyadh has been postponed. No new date has been announced.

Associated Press, citing GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi, reported that the decision was taken to protect participating delegations amid continuing Houthi strikes and the extended suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport. Reuters reported that the EU did not separately specify the reason, said a new date would be announced in due course, and reaffirmed the strategic importance it places on its Gulf partnership.

Reuters, Associated Press and the Financial Times independently confirmed the postponement.

Warning and air-defence failures under scrutiny — October 13 update

A Reuters report published early on October 13 says Saudi Arabia did not issue public alerts of imminent attacks before the recent strikes on Riyadh airport, citing four regional officials and analysts. The report says the recent series of strikes killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 300.

Associated Press, citing two regional officials who were not authorised to speak publicly, reported that an inquiry was examining why air-defence systems failed to intercept the missiles and drones and why earlier warning was not provided. AP said the Saudi government-run Center for International Communication did not immediately comment on the reported inquiry. This is therefore a reported investigation, not an official finding.

Reuters’ newer aggregate toll and the earlier incident-by-incident official figures retained below may cover different attacks or reporting cut-offs. They have not been added together. The announced airport closure deadline remains unchanged: 21:00 GMT on October 17.

Sources for this update: Reuters — October 13, 2026; Associated Press — October 12, 2026.

Summary: An attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 10, killed 12 people and injured 309, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities. Reuters, Associated Press and the Financial Times independently reported the same official figures.

• The dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis and one person each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt.
• Officials said some of the injured were in critical condition and receiving treatment at several hospitals.
• Operations were temporarily suspended and flights were diverted in the immediate aftermath, according to reports published at the time.
• Reuters reported that the Houthi movement claimed responsibility. The official civil-aviation statement cited by AP did not assign blame.

The airport’s operating status may change. Travellers should check the latest notice from their airline and Saudi civil aviation authorities before departure.

Travel update — October 11

Akasa Air said it has suspended all flights to and from Riyadh through October 13, 2026 because of the continuing security situation. The airline said affected passengers may receive a full refund or reschedule without an additional fee. Associated Press reported that the airport closure was extended into Sunday. Other airlines’ schedules may differ, so travellers should check directly with their carrier before departure.

Travel-safety update — October 11

The Houthis renewed their warning on October 11 to airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, while exempting the airports in Mecca and Medina. This is a warning issued by the Houthi movement, not a separate official airport-closure notice.

An October 11 security alert from the U.S. Mission advised extreme caution when using major Saudi airports and warned travellers to prepare for possible cancellations or delays. Passengers should check the latest notices from their airline and Saudi aviation authorities.

Second strike — October 11

Saudi civil aviation authorities said another projectile struck the Terminal 4 complex at King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, killing a Pakistani resident and injuring 11 people. Reuters reported that the impact caused a fire at Terminal 4. Associated Press independently confirmed the death and injury figures.

The October 10 strike’s death toll rose to 13 after an injured Indian national later died. Including the separate death in Sunday’s second strike, the confirmed combined toll from the two attacks is at least 14 deaths and 320 injuries.

Closure extended through October 17 — October 12 update

A Notice to Air Missions issued on Monday says King Khalid International Airport is scheduled to remain closed until 21:00 GMT on Saturday, October 17 (2:30 a.m. IST on October 18). Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said operations remain suspended while safety and operational-readiness checks are completed. Reuters, the Financial Times and The Indian Express independently reported the deadline. Multiple airlines have cancelled flights or extended their Riyadh suspensions; passengers should rely on their airline’s current notice because schedules may change.

The Saudi-led coalition said on Monday that it intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh. The Houthis later said they had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile. Reuters and the Financial Times reported both statements; those reports did not independently verify damage from the claimed strike.

Indian national dies — late update, October 11

The Embassy of India in Riyadh said on October 11 that one of the Indians injured in the October 10 attack had died. The embassy had earlier said 11 Indian nationals were among the injured. It said it was in contact with the family and would assist with the early repatriation of the mortal remains.

The death was confirmed after the initially reported toll of 12, taking the verified death toll from the attack to at least 13.

Sources for this update: Reuters — October 11, 2026; The Indian Express — Indian Embassy update.