A series of attacks on Riyadh International Airport has caused the travel hub to remain closed for numerous days.
It was announced today that the airport, also known as King Khalid International, will remain closed until Saturday evening. The change will affect nearly 700 flights per day at the country’s busiest airport, Flightradar24 estimated.
A pair of strikes from the Iran-backed Houthis hit the most prominent Saudi Arabian airport last week, including an attack which left 12 killed and 300 injured.
Significant turmoil in Riyadh comes just under a month before WWE is scheduled to visit the country on November 7 for its Crown Jewel Premium Live Event (PLE). A week before then, a prominent boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli is expected to take place in the Saudi capital.
Despite heightened concern due to strikes in the region, no signs have shown that either event will be altered due to the attacks.
Saudi General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh emphasized his plans to host the Canelo match on October 31, saying that the Mexican boxer told him “he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens.”
As of Monday afternoon, the U.S. and Canadian travel advisories tell citizens to reconsider non-essential travel to the area.
