Dammam Airport struck as Riyadh airport attack toll rises to 13

A projectile struck the tarmac at King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday 11 October 2026, while the death toll from Saturday's attack on King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh rose to 13, according to Simple Flying, which draws on Reuters reporting. Passengers using either airport, and those connecting through Saudi Arabia, are affected.

What happened at Dammam

Simple Flying reports that, according to Reuters, Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority confirmed the incident late on Sunday and said damage assessments and safety inspections were under way. An eyewitness told Reuters that a projectile hit the tarmac near several parked aircraft at about 8:30pm local time and started a fire. The witness's aircraft returned to its gate and passengers were told to disembark and leave the airport.

The full extent of the damage has not been established. Simple Flying says flight-tracking data showed multiple delays and cancellations to arrivals and departures that evening. It also says the Houthis claimed responsibility for the Dammam attack, along with strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities. Saudi authorities reported intercepting a drone in the Eastern Province, but the information available does not establish that it was linked to the airport incident.

Dammam serves the oil-producing Eastern Province and is described as the kingdom's third-largest airport.

Riyadh toll rises

Reuters, as cited by Simple Flying, reports that 13 people were killed and more than 300 injured in the strike on Riyadh's airport on Saturday 10 October. India's embassy in Riyadh confirmed that an injured Indian citizen had died, raising the toll from 12. The airport remained closed on Sunday.

The report says this was the third attack on the facility within a week. Two earlier incidents killed four people in total, and one of them destroyed a Saudia Airbus A320 parked on the tarmac. A Sunday strike on Terminal 4 reportedly caused a fire and injured an unspecified number of people.

Wider context

Simple Flying says the attacks come amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement. Riyadh has increased its military involvement, launching strikes on Houthi positions and backing a Yemeni government counteroffensive, while the Houthis have threatened further retaliation. Citing Al Jazeera, the article notes the Houthis have used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, a mix that can complicate interception even for sophisticated air defences.

What this means for travellers

• Check flight status before travelling to or from Dammam and Riyadh. Riyadh's main airport was closed on Sunday, and Dammam saw delays and cancellations.
• Contact your airline about rebooking or refunds if you are booked on affected services, including Saudia.
• Expect knock-on disruption for connections through Saudi Arabia, which is a major transfer point for international passengers.
• Further disruption is possible if attacks continue, according to Simple Flying.

It is not yet clear when Riyadh will reopen or how long Dammam's operations will be affected.

Sources: Simple Flying