The American newspaper reported that Saudi Arabian airlines have accelerated the transfer of dozens of aircraft from Riyadh airport to other locations in the wake of operations by Yemeni forces.
According to the report—citing data from the website FlightRadar—the number of aircraft stationed at Riyadh airport dropped from 134 to 38 by Wednesday afternoon.
Citing an insurance report, the newspaper stated that one aircraft at Riyadh airport was completely destroyed, while five others sustained damage in Yemeni attacks. The total insured value of these aircraft is estimated at approximately $375 million.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the operations by Yemeni forces have placed significant strain on Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector—a sector in which the country is currently investing tens of billions of dollars to expand airports and modernize its aircraft fleets.
The newspaper further warned that the continued closure of Riyadh airport is intensifying pressure on Saudi airlines and disrupting parts of their flight networks. Meanwhile, attacks on airports could lead to a substantial increase in insurance premiums for aircraft against war-related risks.
The closure of Riyadh airport comes as attacks by Yemeni forces against Saudi Arabia have entered a new phase over the past week, effectively grounding the country’s international airports.
These attacks follow a statement last week by Omar al-Bakhiti, a spokesperson for the government of Yemen, in which he declared that Saudi airports had become targets for Yemeni missile and drone operations, and urged all nations to refrain from entering the country’s airspace.