# Riyadh stays shut: Etihad cancels flights until 19 October

Second Order · 12 October 2026, 17:54 UAE time

<https://secondorderuae.com/brief/2026-10-12/>

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## 1. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on 12 October that Riyadh's King Khalid airport will stay closed while safety checks are completed. It gave no date for reopening.

Flights & Airspace

**What it means:** Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until Monday, 19 October. Dubai–Riyadh flights on flydubai are cancelled up to and including 14 October. Emirates has cancelled EK815, EK817, EK819 and EK816 on 13 October.

**What to do:** Booked to Riyadh before 19 October? Ask your airline about rebooking or a refund.

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2026/10/12/riyadh-airport-closure-emirates-etihad-flights)

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## 2. The US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have told their citizens to avoid or reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia or its airports. Japan reportedly issued a similar warning.

Safety

**What it means:** The UK told its citizens to avoid all Saudi airports except Medina unless their travel is essential. Canada advised against non-essential travel to any part of Saudi Arabia.

Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/10/12/countries-warn-against-travel-to-saudi-arabia-following-houthi-attacks)

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## 3. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on 12 October that Gulf crude flows are back to 80% to 90% of prewar levels. He said diesel prices remain very high.

Fuel & Energy

**What it means:** His figure includes pipelines that bypass Hormuz. According to Kpler, oil exports through Hormuz averaged just under 9 million barrels a day in September. That is about 44% of the 20.6 million recorded in February.

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/10/12/us-says-hormuz-oil-flows-recover-to-14-million-bpd-despite-saudi-attacks)

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## 4. Fujairah Police said the speed limit on the Fujairah–Khor Fakkan road falls from 120kph to 100kph from Tuesday, 13 October.

Laws & Fines

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/12/drivers-warned-of-lower-speed-limit-on-fujairah-to-khorfakkan-road)

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