The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Manchester Airport passengers issued update as flights cancelled
Passengers due to fly have the option to rebook or request a refund
Riyadh Air has cancelled flights between Manchester Airport and Saudi Arabia, including RX417 from Manchester and RX418 from Riyadh, on Tuesday October 13. The suspension comes in the wake of a weekend attack on King Khalid International Airport, prompting the carrier to pause operations at Manchester for the time being.
King Khalid International Airport remains largely closed to flights until next Saturday following a Houthi missile attack on October 10 that resulted in casualties. The disruption has led Riyadh Air to halt services and not yet disclose further flight-cancellation details beyond day-by-day announcements.
Riyadh Air operates the Manchester-Riyadh route three times weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline stated it would provide flexibility for passengers booked to travel up to October 24, offering options to rebook or request refunds as needed.
The carrier’s update outlines rebooking options within a 21-day window on Riyadh Air-operated flights, with one free change allowed and no additional rebooking charges. Passengers choosing refunds will receive amounts for unused sectors and any extra fees, with refunds issued to the original payment method.
The UK Foreign Office has updated travel guidance for Saudi Arabia following the weekend events, advising against travel within 10km of the Yemen border and limiting non-essential travel to several regions and airports. The guidance recommends planning journeys carefully and considering alternative travel arrangements where possible.