Riyadh Air has cancelled its flights between Manchester Airport and Saudi Arabia following Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport. The airline has cancelled flight RX417 from Manchester and flight RX418 from Riyadh on Tuesday October 13.
Flights suspended after deadly attack
All flights have been suspended at King Khalid International Airport until next Saturday following a Houthi missile attack on the airport on Saturday, October 10 which killed 13 people and injured more than 300. On Sunday a Pakistani man was killed in an attack on another terminal, Saudi authorities said.
Riyadh Air has not given details of future flight cancellations and is announcing them day by day. It operates between Manchester and Riyadh three times a week, with services on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
New route launched last month
It comes only a month after Riyadh Air launched its Manchester route, which was its fourth destination in Europe. The digital-led airline is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and made its maiden flight to London in June this year, with ambitious plans to serve 100 destinations across six continents by 2030.
In an update shared on its website, Riyadh Air said that it would offer flexibility for passengers booked to travel until October 24 with the option to rebook their flights or request a refund. Those who want to rebook need to comply with the following conditions:
- Passengers can rebook on their preferred available Riyadh Air (RX) flight (subject to availability), including connecting flights, within a 21-day window of their original travel date for the entire journey
- Only one free change is allowed
- All changes must be completed in a single transaction
- No additional cost will be charged for rebooking
- The new booking must be for the same destination and cabin on a Riyadh Air-operated flight
Passengers who no longer wish to travel can request a full refund. Refunds include the value of any unused sectors and any additional fees paid by the guest, such as seat selection, overweight and oversized bags, or other charges.
Refund policy and travel advice
Any change fee (excluding administration fee) paid to rebook on a disrupted flight will also be refunded. Refunds will be net of any non-refundable taxes and they will be made to the original form and currency of payment.
The airline added that passengers can reach out to their support channels which are available 24/7 in both English and Arabic. It added: "We’re experiencing higher volumes than usual, response times may be a little longer. If you’re traveling within the next 24 hours, please stay connected. If your departure is more than 24 hours away, we recommend contacting us closer to your travel date so we can provide the most relevant support."
Following the attack at the weekend the UK Foreign Office updated its travel guidance for Saudi Arabia. It now advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen; all but essential travel to Aseer province, Riyadh province, Najran province, Jizan province and the cities of Taif, Jeddah and Dammam; and all but essential travel to all airports within Saudi Arabia except for Medina International Airport.
The FCDO advises British Nationals wishing to depart Saudi Arabia to travel by land to one of the following and fly from there: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Jordan. It added: "Please plan your journey carefully including reading the travel advice and any necessary entry/exit requirements."
