Riyadh’s airport is hit again by Houthi attacks as oil chiefs pull out of a Riyadh energy congress
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport was struck again on Sunday 11 October, a day after the Saturday attack that killed 12 (1News, Reuters). The BBC said 13 people were killed across attacks on the airport and another facility and that a Saudi minister promised a “serious response”. Saudi civil aviation, as relayed by FinancialJuice, reported one dead and 11 wounded in the Sunday strike, and the airport’s suspension of operations was extended. The Houthis claimed responsibility and said they also hit Dammam airport and Aramco sites; that claim is unverified. Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt condemned the attacks (Reuters). The Financial Times and Reuters reported that oil executives, including BP, withdrew from the World Petroleum Council congress in Riyadh.
Riyadh is the capital of the world’s largest crude exporter, and strikes on its airport and on oil company events raise the risk premium on oil. Oil prices feed straight into New Zealand’s petrol and diesel prices.
Fuel is already at a record in New Zealand. If you have travel through the Gulf, check airline notices: Philippine Airlines has suspended Riyadh flights until 29 November, and other carriers may follow.
Saudi officials and allies call the attacks a serious escalation that demands a response.
The Houthis say the strikes answer the Saudi-led coalition’s role in the war in Yemen; their claims about other targets are unverified.
Watch two things: whether the airport reopens, and what “serious response” turns out to mean. Neither is known yet.
DailyDrop New Zealand edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026