Saudi Arabia is keeping two of its highest-profile business gatherings on the calendar despite missile attacks that disrupted travel through Riyadh. Organizers of the World Petroleum Congress and the Future Investment Initiative told attendees that the events would proceed, Reuters reported.
The conferences remain on schedule
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is scheduled for October 11–15 in Riyadh, with its formal inauguration on October 12. The program is set to bring together oil executives, government ministers and energy policymakers.
Reuters said WPC organizers pointed delegates to alternate routes, including a roughly four-hour drive from Dammam, after flight disruptions. Italy’s energy minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, said he would join an International Energy Forum meeting held alongside the congress by video rather than travel to Riyadh.
The 10th Future Investment Initiative remains scheduled for October 26–29 at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. FII organizers said security measures would cover airports, conference venues, official hotels and participant transportation. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Citi CEO Jane Fraser appeared on an expected-attendee list, though Reuters said neither bank had confirmed their participation.
Travel remains disrupted
Associated Press reported that three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia pilot, were killed in Thursday’s attacks on King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft. Several people were wounded, and the aircraft was damaged while on the ground with no passengers aboard. AP counted at least 124 canceled Riyadh flights on Friday after hundreds more cancellations a day earlier.
Reuters reported four deaths across the week’s missile attacks and said Lufthansa had suspended Riyadh service through October 16, while Etihad Airways and Flydubai canceled October 10 flights to and from the capital.
The Houthis claimed the airport attack and warned airlines away from Saudi airspace. The UK government’s travel advice advised against all but essential travel to Riyadh province and warned of heightened threats to airports, military sites, ports and energy infrastructure.
