Major Travel Chaos Hits Key Saudi Hubs
Saudi Arabia's primary international airports, King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah, experienced widespread flight cancellations and delays between December 19 and December 21, 2025. The disruptions, attributed to a 'confluence of operational factors' and adverse weather conditions, left thousands of passengers stranded and caused significant congestion in terminal buildings across the Kingdom.
Operational Hurdles and Inclement Weather Cited
The extensive travel disruptions stemmed from a combination of factors. Airport management at King Khalid International Airport cited the diversion of several flights from other airports, alongside scheduled maintenance within the refuelling system, as primary causes. Furthermore, heavy rain in Riyadh reportedly exacerbated the situation, with reports indicating water ingress into fuel tankers, complicating refueling operations. Severe thunderstorms and fog also played a significant role, particularly affecting both Riyadh and Jeddah, contributing to the widespread flight disruptions. This regional weather phenomenon also impacted air travel in neighboring countries, including the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Thousands Affected by Cancellations and Delays
The impact on air travel was substantial. On December 19, 2025, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh recorded 97 cancellations and 223 delays. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah reported 23 cancellations and 152 delays on the same day. By December 20, 2025, the total number of disruptions across Saudi Arabia, encompassing Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Medina, reached 44 cancellations and 603 delays. Airlines such as Saudia and flyadeal were particularly affected, with Saudia alone reporting 95 cancellations and 79 delays in Riyadh, and 20 cancellations in Jeddah on December 19. Many passengers faced long waiting times and heavy crowding in airport terminals.
Authorities Respond and Operations Recover
In response to the crisis, airport authorities and airlines worked to mitigate the impact. King Khalid International Airport confirmed that operations had fully returned to normal by Saturday, December 20, 2025, following intensive coordination with airlines and relevant authorities. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, ordered a comprehensive operational review at KKIA and inspected airport operations to assess recovery measures. He emphasized the strict implementation of Saudi Arabia's 'Passenger Rights Protection Regulations'. Airlines, including Saudia and flyadeal, offered rebooking support and waived rescheduling fees for affected travelers, advising passengers to check their flight status directly before heading to the airport to avoid further congestion.
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