Airport Attack Kills One and Injures Eight in Dammam

An attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, killed one person and injured eight others, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said Wednesday evening. Authorities were assessing damage to the facility following the incident, which added to security concerns surrounding the kingdom's aviation infrastructure.

The civil aviation authority confirmed the casualties but did not provide further details about the circumstances of the attack or identify those responsible. Its statement said assessments of material damage were underway, and no additional information about operational disruptions was provided.

The incident followed another reported attack on the same airport on October 20, according to a report published by House of Saud. That report also described an earlier strike on October 11, making the latest incident part of a series of attacks targeting the facility during October.

During the October 11 incident, Saudi authorities confirmed that the airport had been attacked and said damage assessments and safety inspections were in progress. An eyewitness account cited by aviation publication Simple Flying placed the impact at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time, describing a projectile striking the tarmac near parked aircraft and starting a fire. No casualties were reported from that incident.

Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed responsibility for the October 11 strike. He said the projectile “directly hit its target and disrupted air traffic.” The Houthis also claimed simultaneous attacks on Aramco's Shedgum gas plant and Tanajib oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, although Saudi authorities had not confirmed damage to either site in the report.

Saudi Arabia's strategic interest in the Dammam airport extends beyond commercial passenger traffic. House of Saud reported that King Fahd International Airport handles 13.7 million passengers annually, making it the kingdom's third-busiest airport, and serves as an important transportation hub for the Eastern Province's energy industry.

The airport includes a dedicated Aramco Terminal serving employees traveling to company facilities, including sites in Yanbu, Tanajib, Shaybah, and Haradh. Its aviation operations are supported by Al Oula Aviation, formerly known as Mukamalah Aviation, which rebranded in August 2024 and operates a fleet of more than 60 aircraft, according to the report.

That fleet includes seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft, 24 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, Hawker 900XP jets, and King Air 350 turboprops. The airline also manages eight Aramco-owned airports and more than 300 helipads across Saudi Arabia, connecting industrial facilities and remote energy operations.

Aramco and Dammam Airports Company signed a memorandum of understanding in 2021 to develop an integrated logistics operation at the airport's cargo village. The project aims to improve the movement of equipment, spare parts, and contractors supporting the company's activities across the Eastern Province.

The airport's cargo development plan targets annual capacity exceeding 600,000 metric tons by 2030, compared with 140,000 metric tons handled in 2024. House of Saud reported that a design contract for the expansion was signed with WSP in September 2026.

The latest attack adds to a wider pattern of reported strikes on Saudi aviation facilities. However, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority's statement did not specify the weapon used, identify the perpetrator, or provide a detailed assessment of damage at King Fahd International Airport.