Two attacks on Riyadh airport by Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels killed 14 and injured more than 300, and a series of Iranian‑backed strikes on Saudi targets followed in the days after. The incidents have shaken the country’s reputation as a safe haven for investment and tourism, a status it had cultivated while remaining largely insulated from regional conflicts.
Experts warn that the violence threatens Riyadh’s Vision 2030, the crown prince’s plan to diversify the economy away from oil. “The war has dealt a serious blow to Vision 2030 at a time when Saudi Arabia was already grappling with the costs of its ambitious giga‑projects and pressure on oil revenues,” said Alice Gower, a geopolitics specialist at Azure Strategy. Dr Neil Quilliam of Chatham House noted that the Gulf had long presented itself as a haven for development, but the war has altered that perception, making the region appear less secure.
In response, Qatar Airways and Etihad have suspended flights to and from Riyadh, and King Khalid International Airport has halted operations to implement safety procedures. Saudi civil aviation authorities said the pause would allow the airport to “ensure the safety of the facilities.” The attacks also targeted oil refineries, military bases and other infrastructure, further exposing the country to external threats.
The conflict has compounded earlier challenges to Saudi projects. The Neom megacity, originally budgeted at more than £363 billion, has been scaled back as the economy faces deficits and the need to reprioritise. While the Gulf states have tried to project normality, the sustained attacks raise concerns about the country’s ability to recover in the short term, though its vast oil reserves may provide a lifeline for medium‑term recovery. Saudi officials continue to position the nation as an emerging economic hub, even as the war’s impact on investor confidence lingers.
