Scheduled flight operations at Riyadh Airport remain severely restricted following continued strikes by Iran-aligned Houthi forces, leading to a near-complete freeze in corporate travel to Saudi Arabia, according to travel industry professionals.
With limited airline service available to and from the kingdom, many stranded visitors have resorted to alternative travel methods. Business travelers and tourists are increasingly driving to neighboring Gulf nations, particularly Bahrain, to access outbound flights. Some have undertaken lengthy overland journeys, such as the four-hour drive from Riyadh to Dammam followed by additional road travel to reach the United Arab Emirates.
Travel agency executives report that no new travel bookings to the kingdom are being initiated, with all existing plans placed on indefinite hold. Those already in Saudi Arabia are prioritizing departures through whatever means available. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, a senior manager at UAE-based travel agency Wise Fox Tourism, noted that pilgrims traveling for Umrah religious visits to Makkah and Madinah are similarly avoiding air travel in favor of ground transportation.
The airport closures have disrupted the kingdom’s business events calendar, with major conferences and corporate gatherings now postponed into 2027. The prolonged nature of the flight restrictions presents challenges for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish itself as a dependable destination for international business tourism and large-scale events.
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