Last updated: 11 October 2026, 9.45am BST.
The Riyadh airport attack on 10 October has prompted the UK to tell British nationals to avoid King Khalid International Airport until it is secure. Saudi aviation authorities reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries, according to Saudi Gazette, with Associated Press also reporting 12 dead and more than 300 injured.
At a glance
- The incident occurred on Saturday 10 October; the FCDO places it at about 3pm local time.
- The UK advises avoiding King Khalid airport until it is secure.
- Saudi aviation authorities’ casualty figures were reported early on 11 October.
- Travellers should confirm individual flights with their airline before making an airport journey.
What is confirmed about the Riyadh airport attack
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s official advice, updated on 10 October and current on 11 October, describes a serious incident and gives the airport-avoidance instruction. It also advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh province.
Saudi Gazette attributes the figures of 12 dead and 309 injured to the General Authority of Civil Aviation. Its report says damage assessments are under way. These are attributed official figures reported by the newspaper; Brighton Locals has not independently counted casualties.
Associated Press reports that airport operations were suspended and flights diverted. AP says the Saudi-led coalition blamed Houthi rebels in Yemen. That attribution is separate from independently established responsibility.
What travellers should do
Do not treat a displayed timetable or an old booking confirmation as proof that a flight will operate. Contact the airline through its official app or website to establish the current status of your particular service and its advice on rebooking or connections.
For people travelling from Brighton or Sussex through a UK airport, check the entire itinerary before beginning the first leg. A flight leaving Britain does not by itself establish that an onward connection through Riyadh is available.
Read the FCDO advice for your destination and any transit point, review your insurance with the insurer, and follow Saudi authorities’ instructions if already in the country. The FCDO warns that travel against its advice can invalidate insurance. The airport warning takes priority over an assumption that normal operations have resumed.
Why this is receiving attention
Google’s UK Trending Now page, checked on 11 October for the preceding 24 hours, showed “riyadh” at 20K+ searches, with Saudi news and airport queries in the related group. This is a UK search-interest observation, not a global ranking or an exact audience count.
Brighton Locals’ view
Editorial judgement: Clear travel instructions are more useful than speculation about when terminals might reopen. Passengers need authoritative security advice and flight-by-flight confirmation. A resumption of some services would not automatically mean every route or connection is safe or operating.
What to watch next
The decisive updates will be official airport security and operating notices, airline-specific changes and revisions to FCDO advice. We have not verified a firm reopening time. Casualty totals and damage assessments may change as authorities release further information.
Bottom line: Avoid the airport until it is secure and confirm your journey directly with the airline.
Image: Terminal 3 at King Khalid International Airport in 2008, not the incident. DearEdward / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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