The Saudi Guides

KLM Suspends Riyadh and Dammam Flights Until September 2026

· 2 min read Travel News
Aircraft at a Saudi Arabia airport departure gate

Contents

  1. Which Routes Are Affected
  2. What to Do If You Have a Booking
  3. Other Carriers

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced on 22 July 2026 that it is suspending all flights to Riyadh and Dammam until at least 6 September 2026. The suspension covers all routes between the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, affecting passengers with bookings across the entire summer season.

Air France has also suspended its Saudi Arabia services during this period. Both carriers are part of the Air France–KLM group, so the suspension is effectively a withdrawal of the entire group’s Saudi capacity for the remainder of summer 2026.

Which Routes Are Affected

KLM operates direct services between Amsterdam Schiphol and both Riyadh (King Khalid International Airport) and Dammam (King Fahd International Airport). All scheduled departures on these routes from 22 July through 6 September 2026 are cancelled.

Air France operates connections via Paris Charles de Gaulle to Riyadh and Jeddah. Those services are suspended for the same period.

What to Do If You Have a Booking

Passengers holding KLM or Air France tickets to Saudi Arabia during this window should:

  1. Check your email - Both airlines are contacting affected passengers directly with rebooking or refund options.
  2. Request a full refund - EU261/2004 regulations entitle EU-departing passengers to a full ticket refund when an airline cancels a flight, regardless of fare type.
  3. Look for alternative carriers - Saudi Airlines (Saudia), Flynas, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines continue to operate routes into Saudi Arabia and have not announced suspensions.
  4. Check connecting bookings separately - If your KLM flight was part of a connecting itinerary booked with a separate airline or hotel, those components are not automatically covered by the airline’s cancellation policy.

Other Carriers

The KLM and Air France suspensions have not triggered a wider industry withdrawal as of 24 July 2026. Most major carriers serving Saudi Arabia - including those operating into Jeddah, Dammam, and Medina - are continuing scheduled services. Before booking an alternative, verify the latest operating status directly with the airline.

For practical information on flying to Saudi Arabia and transfer options once you arrive, see our dedicated guide.

We will update this article if the suspension is extended further or lifted early.