Air Algerie has resumed scheduled nonstop flights between Doha and Algiers, expanding travel options between Qatar and Algeria and further strengthening Hamad International Airport’s international connectivity.

Hamad International Airport (HIA) announced the service through a post on its X account, saying the restored route provides passengers with another direct connection between the two capitals.

With Air Algerie’s return, HIA now has 37 airline partners, including Qatar Airways, connecting Doha with more than 160 destinations worldwide.

The service resumes after a suspension of around seven months linked to weather conditions and air safety considerations in the region. Air Algerie originally introduced the Doha route in summer 2022 with two weekly flights.

The airline is currently operating three flights per week on the route and plans to increase the frequency to a daily service from October 25 in response to rising demand.

The Doha-Algiers route is Air Algerie’s 45th international destination. Its return is expected to support further growth in air connectivity between Qatar and Algeria while contributing to tourism, business and broader economic ties between the two countries.

Source: QNA

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is preparing to restart domestic and international passenger flights on Sunday, October 25, following disruptions linked to missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement targeting the Saudi capital.

In a travel advisory released on Saturday, airport authorities outlined revised terminal arrangements for services operated by Saudi national airlines. From Sunday, Terminal 1 will serve domestic flights, while Terminal 2 will accommodate international services operated by national carriers.

The changes mark a step toward restoring normal passenger operations at one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest aviation hubs after the recent security incidents.

Passengers holding confirmed bookings have been advised to contact their airlines before heading to the airport to check their reservation status and confirm flight schedules.

The announcement comes amid a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi movement targeting Riyadh and other areas of Saudi Arabia, including the vicinity of King Khalid International Airport.

Saudi authorities have reported intercepting and destroying projectiles directed at Riyadh and other regions on multiple occasions. Civil Defense teams have also responded to incidents involving debris falling from intercepted projectiles.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Air travel across Italy was disrupted on Friday after a technical fault affected the country’s air traffic control systems, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

Air traffic control provider ENAV said it had introduced temporary restrictions on air traffic capacity after detecting overnight anomalies in the data transmission network supporting air traffic services nationwide.

Authorities said the disruption was not caused by sabotage and confirmed that the technical issue had been resolved later in the day.

Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed that 192 flights had been cancelled by around 1000 GMT. At the same time, only about 31% of departures from Italian airports were leaving on schedule.

The situation was particularly challenging at the country’s major airports. On-time departures stood at approximately 25% at Milan Malpensa Airport and 28% at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ENAV announced at around 1325 GMT that it had restored full operational capacity, bringing the technical disruption to an end.

Source: Reuters

Saudi telecom operator STC Group is offering free, unlimited calls to and from Saudi Arabia for customers roaming overseas, helping travellers maintain contact with their families amid continuing flight disruptions.

Announced on X, the initiative runs from October 12 to October 19. STC said the offer was intended to support customers facing difficulties staying connected with loved ones during an uncertain period.

“We understand how difficult it can be to be away from family, particularly during times like these,” the company told Arab News.

STC added that free, unlimited calling would make it easier for customers outside the Kingdom to communicate with relatives and provide reassurance during the disruption.

The initiative comes as flights to and from Riyadh face interruptions following a recent attack on King Khalid International Airport.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on X that the airport’s operational suspension had been extended to allow safety inspections of its facilities to be completed. The authority did not provide a timeline for the resumption of flights.

Traveller Welcomes Initiative but Calls for Free Internet

Hisham Al-Ghasim, a Saudi citizen whose return journey from Bangkok to Riyadh was disrupted, welcomed STC’s offer but said free internet access would have been more practical.

His existing mobile package already covered calls, while internet connectivity was important for arranging alternative travel, making bookings and accessing essential applications.

He told Arab News that providing unrestricted internet access instead of free calls would have been more useful because many everyday communications and travel arrangements depend on online services.

Al-Ghasim had completed a business trip to Bangkok and was waiting for a taxi when he received a notification that his return flight had been delayed.

He said he was informed that his departure had been postponed by three days. Although he had been following developments, he had not expected his flight booking to be cancelled.

His original itinerary involved an Emirates flight via Dubai to Riyadh. He subsequently arranged to end his journey in the United Arab Emirates instead.

After reaching Dubai, Al-Ghasim contacted the Saudi Consulate General, which offered assistance with returning to the Kingdom by road through organised group transport.

Saudi Missions Assist Stranded Citizens

Saudi embassies and consulates have also been helping citizens affected by flight cancellations associated with regional security developments.

Their support includes arranging emergency accommodation and helping travellers identify alternative routes to return home as aviation disruptions continue.

Source: Arab News

flydubai has cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 14, the airline confirmed in a statement.

A spokesperson said the carrier is monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities and will notify passengers of any changes to flight schedules through its official communication channels.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to visit the Manage Booking section on the airline’s website, flydubai.com, to review available refund or rebooking options.

Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their agents directly for assistance.

The airline apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and said it would continue to provide updates through its official channels.

Source: Emirates247

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam, issuing a travel alert for passengers travelling to the two Saudi Arabian destinations.

The Qatari airline said it was monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the relevant authorities. In response to the evolving situation, the carrier halted flights to both cities until further notice.

Passengers have been urged to verify their flight status through the airline’s official website or mobile application before travelling.

Qatar Airways said the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. The airline added that customers affected by the suspensions would be contacted directly, with additional updates published on its website as more information becomes available.

Source: QNA