Dammam airport attack death toll rises to two, GACA confirms

A second person has died following a targeted attack at King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed, according to AeroTime. GACA said on 22 October 2026 that airport operations have resumed and air traffic is back to normal.

What GACA has confirmed

A GACA statement on 21 October 2026 initially reported one fatality and eight people with minor to critical injuries. The following day, authorities confirmed a second death. GACA described the victims as a Saudi citizen and an Indian resident.

The number of injured remained at eight, according to AeroTime. They comprise one Saudi citizen, two residents each from India, Yemen and Bangladesh, and one Nepalese resident.

GACA said work continues with the relevant security authorities to assess the damage and take the measures needed to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff. The Saudi government has not confirmed who carried out the attack, AeroTime reports.

A run of attacks on Saudi airports

AeroTime places the Dammam incident within an escalation of attacks on Saudi Arabia. It reports that a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH) on 10 October 2026 killed at least twelve people and injured 309, according to GACA. Earlier attacks on Riyadh and Abha International Airport (AHB) on 6 and 7 October reportedly killed three people and injured 36.

Saudi Arabia is currently in conflict with Houthi rebels, who have stepped up attacks following territorial gains inside Yemen in September 2026, according to AeroTime. Yemeni government forces have reported retaking positions in recent weeks.

International response

On 20 October 2026 the UK government announced that RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets would be deployed defensively to protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure. On 21 October the US Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their family members from Saudi Arabia. The department said Iranian-supported Houthis had increasingly attacked Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, causing civilian casualties and severe travel disruption.

What this means for travellers

• Dammam airport is operating again and GACA says air traffic is back to normal, so flights are expected to run, though the sources do not detail any delays or cancellations.
• Passengers should check flight status with their airline before heading to the airport. Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia, is among the airlines serving the country, although the sources do not mention any specific airline changes.
• The US order for departure of non-emergency government staff signals official concern about travel to the Kingdom. Travellers should consult their own government's current travel advice.
• Other Saudi airports, including Riyadh and Abha, have also been targeted this month, so connections through the country may carry added risk of disruption.

It is not yet clear who was responsible for the Dammam attack or whether further security measures will affect airport operations.

Sources: AeroTime