Indonesia urges airlines to aid passengers after Riyadh airport attack

Indonesia's government urged airlines to properly manage passengers affected by disrupted flights after the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, according to Indonesian news agency Antara.

Antara reported that Purwagandhi spoke in Jakarta on Saturday (Oct. 17) in response to the attack. "We have appealed to airlines to properly manage passengers affected by disrupted flight operations," he said, according to Antara. He stressed the importance of complying with a 2021 ministerial regulation on minimum service standards for air transport passengers.

Antara quoted him as saying: "The safety and security of flights are top priorities, including compliance with instructions from airport authorities, aviation regulators, and air traffic control," The minister noted the possibility of flight delays. He urged airlines to give passengers timely information and appropriate assistance while they wait, including meals, refreshments and accommodation when necessary.

The minister also underlined the importance of prioritising passengers with disabilities, unaccompanied children, pregnant women and others who need special assistance, Antara reported. He advised passengers to coordinate with their airlines on applicable refund arrangements.

According to Antara, several international airlines have adjusted operations in response to the security situation. Qatar Airways cancelled flights between Doha and Riyadh from Oct. 9 to 17 and redirected passengers to alternative destinations in Saudi Arabia. Emirates has also suspended its Riyadh services. Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines continue to operate direct flights between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, Antara said.

Antara reported that Indonesia's Transportation Ministry said it would keep monitoring information from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The aim is to assess the impact of the security situation on international flights, particularly transit flights connected to Indonesia.

Background

Qatar Standard reported earlier that the Houthis warned airlines, travellers and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports and Saudi airspace after an attack on Riyadh's international airport, citing The Straits Times. That report said operations at the airport were temporarily suspended and that details of how the attack was carried out had not been confirmed.

A separate Qatar Standard report cited a Reuters account carried by The Jerusalem Post, which said the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation had said operations returned to normal. Qatar Standard said that account had not been independently confirmed. Qatar Standard also reported that, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, restrictions at Saudi airports had affected 107 flights involving Bangladesh and disrupted travel for 16,620 passengers.