Saudi summit organisers keep October plans amid Riyadh airport attacks

Organisers of two major conferences in Riyadh said on October 10 that they would proceed as planned despite deadly airport attacks. A further strike later that day added to the disruption facing visitors.

Reuters reported that World Petroleum Congress organisers had emailed delegates to confirm the event, scheduled for October 11–15. They pointed to alternative ways to reach the capital, including a roughly four-hour road journey from Dammam.

The Future Investment Initiative also retained its October 26–29 schedule. Its chief executive, Maha Al Saud, said security arrangements would cover airports, conference venues, official hotels and participants’ transport. Those assurances preceded the later airport attack and do not establish that travel has returned to normal.

CNN subsequently reported another explosion at King Khalid International Airport on October 10, with injuries and a suspension of airport operations. Earlier attacks had already disrupted flights and prompted Britain, France and Germany to warn their citizens against travelling to Riyadh.

Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said he would join the International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting by video rather than fly to Riyadh. That meeting is being held alongside the petroleum congress.

Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan and Jane Fraser of Citi were listed as expected participants in the investment gathering. Reuters said neither bank immediately commented, so their presence remains unconfirmed.

The meetings are taking place against escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. Keeping the conference dates is an organisers’ decision, while airline cancellations and the latest airport attack leave access to Riyadh uncertain.