WSJ: Saudi airlines rush to evacuate aircraft from Riyadh airport

RIYADH, Oct. 15 (YPA) – “The Wall Street Journal” reported that Saudi airlines are rushing to evacuate dozens of aircraft from Riyadh Airport amid military operations by Sanaa forces.

Citing data from Flightradar24, the newspaper said the number of aircraft at Riyadh Airport had fallen from 134 to 38 by midday Wednesday amid a large-scale evacuation. It added that Riyadh Air had moved four of its five aircraft stationed at the airport to other airports, including one in Medina.

The newspaper also cited an insurance report stating that one aircraft at Riyadh Airport had been declared a total loss and five others had been damaged, with a combined insured value of around $375 million.

The Wall Street Journal said the Yemeni operations are putting mounting pressure on Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, which is undergoing billions of dollars in investment to expand airports and modernize fleets.

The newspaper added that the continued closure of Riyadh Airport is disrupting Saudi airlines’ operations and flight networks. It also warned that the airlines could face sharp increases in war-risk insurance costs following the attacks on airports.

@E.Y.M