Military operations by Yemen's Ansarallah resistance movement have severely disrupted air traffic across Saudi Arabia, grounding thousands of flights and disrupting travel to the kingdom's capital, according to aviation data published on Monday.

Approximately 86% of scheduled flights at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport were cancelled between October 8 and October 25, with 4,071 of the 4,736 scheduled services grounded, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

The disruption comes as Ansarallah has intensified its operations against Saudi targets, including airports, ports and oil facilities, using ballistic missiles and drones. The movement has described its actions as part of its military campaign amid escalating regional tensions.

Riyadh's airport, Saudi Arabia's second-busiest after Jeddah, has faced repeated attacks. A strike on October 10 killed 13 people, according to the report, marking the kingdom's deadliest incident of this kind in more than a decade.

Saudi authorities partially reopened King Khalid International Airport on Sunday following a suspension that began on October 10. Domestic services resumed from Terminal 1, while Saudi national carriers were permitted to operate international flights from Terminal 2.

However, Ansarallah announced on Monday that it had again targeted Riyadh's airport, describing the facility as a "military target."

The continuing security concerns have prompted international airlines to suspend services to the Saudi capital into November. Delta Air Lines has also postponed the planned launch of its Riyadh route until next year.

The disruptions have affected more than air travel, forcing the cancellation or postponement of several events in Riyadh. These include Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference, which has been postponed until 2027 as flight cancellations complicate travel to and within the kingdom.

The impact has extended well beyond Riyadh. More than 7,800 flights, representing approximately 45% of all scheduled departures from Saudi airports, were cancelled between October 8 and October 25, according to Cirium.

The disruption peaked on October 12, when cancellations exceeded 60% of scheduled flights nationwide.

Several major airports experienced substantial interruptions. Riyadh recorded a cancellation rate of 86%, while Dammam and Abha reported rates of 42% and 46.7%, respectively. Ansarallah has claimed attacks on facilities in the affected areas.

Smaller regional airports have also been severely affected. All scheduled flights from Najran, near the border with Yemen, were cancelled during the period covered by the data.

The figures underline the growing impact of the confrontation on Saudi Arabia's aviation network, international connectivity and major business events as military tensions between Ansarallah and Riyadh continue. (ILKHA)