Thousands Of Passengers Stranded Around Saudi Arabia As Abha, Riyadh, Jeddah, And Others Cancel 213 And Delay 207 Flights

Written By: Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid

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July 17, 2026 6:48 AM |

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Disruptions continued across Saudi Arabia today, as 213 cancellations and 207 delays were reported. The hardest-hit airline was Saudia, which accounted for well over half of all cancellations, followed by flyadeal, and FlyDubai.
Airports significantly affected include King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, Abha Airport in Abha, and Gizan Airport in Jazan, where dozens of flights were cancelled.
The latest disruptions come as security concerns intensify following renewed military exchanges involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen, prompting airlines to adjust schedules and prioritize passenger safety.

• King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah registered the highest number of cancellations with 56 flights.
• King Khalid Airport in Riyadh recorded the highest number of delays with 118 flights.
• Saudia was the most disrupted airline, followed by flyadeal, Flynas, and FlyDubai.

Why Are Disruptions Persisting In Saudi Arabia?

The disruption continues against the backdrop of a rapidly worsening security situation. Saudi military strikes and regional conflict have placed aviation operations under growing pressure as airlines continually reassess flight safety.

Saudi strikes on Sanaa Airport were met with Houthi attacks targeting Abha Airport, pushing the fragile 2022 truce closer to collapse. The latest exchange has renewed fears of a broader regional escalation and raised the possibility of increased Houthi involvement amid tensions linked to the wider US-Iran conflict.

Houthi leaders have also warned of further escalation as the broader regional crisis continues to loom over Yemen. Although commercial aviation continues to operate across much of Saudi Arabia, airlines are making operational adjustments where necessary, leading to cancellations, delays, and schedule changes as safety remains the highest priority.

What The Collapse Of The 2022 Truce Means For Air Travel

The renewed exchange between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has raised concerns that the relative calm seen since the 2022 U.N.-brokered truce may be fading. As military activity increases, airlines could continue making last-minute schedule adjustments, leading to further cancellations and delays while safety risks are continuously reassessed.

Timeline: How The Saudi Arabia–Yemen Aviation Crisis Escalated

Flights disrupted across Saudi Arabia: Airlines adjusted operations as the security situation evolved, contributing to 208 cancellations and 158 delays across airports including Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Gizan, Najran, and Sharurah.

Sanaa Airport targeted: Yemen’s internationally recognized government struck the runway at Sanaa International Airport, saying it was preventing an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.

Abha comes under attack: In retaliation, the Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles and drones toward Abha Airport, marking the most serious escalation since the 2022 truce.

Warning issued to airlines: The Houthis urged airlines to avoid Saudi airspace until restrictions on Sanaa Airport are lifted, raising fresh concerns across the aviation sector.

How The Abha Airport Attack Is Affecting Flights Across Saudi Arabia

Disruptions at Abha Airport extended well beyond the city itself. Aircraft and flight crews scheduled to continue to other destinations may be delayed or repositioned, affecting domestic services linking Riyadh, and Jeddah as airlines adjust operations to keep passengers and crews safe.

Worst-Hit Airports

King Abdulaziz Airport, Jeddah

Jeddah recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 56 cancelled flights and 89 delays. Saudia was the airline most affected, followed by flyadeal and Flynas, while Jazeera Airways, Emirates, and FlyDubai also experienced operational disruption.

King Khalid Airport, Riyadh

Riyadh experienced the country’s highest number of delays with 118 delayed flights alongside 51 cancellations. Saudia recorded the largest number of cancellations at the airport.

Abha Airport, Abha

Operations at Abha Airport were heavily disrupted after 51 flights were cancelled. Saudia accounted for most of the cancellations, while flyadeal, Flynas, FlyDubai, Nile Air, Air Arabia, and Qatar Airways also saw flights cancelled.

Gizan Airport, Jazan

Gizan Airport recorded 36 cancellations, again with virtually no delays. Saudia was the most affected carrier, followed by flyadeal, Flynas, FlyDubai, and Air Cairo, leaving many passengers seeking alternative travel arrangements.

Airlines Most Disrupted by Flight Cancellations

Saudia

Saudia was by far the most affected airline, recording 147 cancellations and 57 delays across the impacted airports. Its domestic network linking Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, and Najran experienced the greatest disruption.

flyadeal

flyadeal recorded 32 cancellations and 23 delays, with disruptions concentrated at King Abdulaziz Airport, Abha Airport, and Gizan Airport, affecting both domestic and regional travelers.

What Can Impacted Passengers Do?

• Check your airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Allow extra travel time if flying through Riyadh or Jeddah, where delays remain significant.
• If your itinerary includes airports such as Abha, Jazan, or Najran, stay in close contact with your airline regarding schedule changes.
• Keep notifications enabled through your airline’s mobile app or SMS service.
• If your flight is cancelled, ask about rebooking options or available travel alternatives.
• Retain boarding passes and travel receipts in case compensation or reimbursement policies apply.
• Follow announcements from airport authorities and airline staff for the latest operational updates.

Overview of Flight Cancellations And Delays

The latest wave of disruption has affected travel across Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, and Najran, creating uncertainty for thousands of passengers. Saudia experienced the greatest operational impact, while flyadeal, Flynas, FlyDubai, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways also faced varying levels of disruption across their networks.

In Riyadh, delayed departures formed the largest share of operational problems, while Jeddah experienced both heavy cancellations and delays. Meanwhile, Abha, Jazan, and Najran saw widespread flight cancellations, highlighting the uneven impact of the ongoing security situation across different parts of the country.

With tensions remaining elevated, airlines are expected to continue adjusting schedules as conditions evolve. Travelers flying to or from Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and other affected cities are encouraged to closely monitor airline updates, as flight schedules may continue changing at short notice.

Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 16th July 8:24 pm ET USA

Primary Source: Real-time data aggregated via FlightAware.

Verification Protocol: Statistics are cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to maintain historical accuracy.

Note: Real-time tracking figures represent active airspace data and may experience minor variances from local airport terminal gates. 

Travelers are advised to check respective airline and airports for more latest information and updates