Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until 17 October, following attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued on Monday said the airport would stay shut until 9 p.m. GMT on 17 October, which is midnight on 18 October in Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the extension would allow safety inspections to be completed.
The airport has been closed since Saturday, when an attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300. A second attack on Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen, according to the report.
Several airlines have suspended flights to and from Riyadh. Flights continue through other Saudi airports, including Jeddah, but aviation analytics firm Cirium put cancellations across Saudi airports at 46.4 percent.
Sri Lankans travelling to or working in Saudi Arabia may face delays and rerouted journeys while the closure lasts. Travellers should check with their airlines.
