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RIYADH: The organisers of two major Saudi energy and investment conferences said their events will go ahead this month and reassured visitors on security, after missile attacks \u200bon Riyadh\u2019s airport left four people dead and an airliner heavily damaged this week.<\/strong><\/p>\n The attacks \u200cled to widespread flight disruptions, with people taking land routes or circuitous alternative flights. The UK, France and Germany have warned their citizens to avoid Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n Riyadh is sticking to plans to convene global events and trying to draw in \u200binvestment even amid escalating war with the Iran-backed Houthis in neighbouring Yemen that has seen \u200bthe kingdom attacked dozens of times over the past weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n Organisers of the World \u2060Petroleum Congress, set to host top global oil executives and policymakers from Sunday to Thursday, said \u200bit would proceed as planned with foreign leaders and ministers in attendance, an email sent to delegates said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYour \u200bcomfort is our priority,\u201d it said, noting that alternative routes to Riyadh, including via a four-hour drive from Dammam on the kingdom\u2019s eastern coast, were available.<\/span><\/p>\n Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin on Friday said he would not fly to \u200bRiyadh for the International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting, an event on WPC\u2019s sidelines, but would participate \u200bvia video link.<\/span><\/p>\n The Future Investment Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the kingdom\u2019s flagship investment conference a \u200cdecade \u2060ago, would also proceed as planned from October 26-29, organisers said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSafety and well-being remain our highest priority,\u201d a statement attributed to FII CEO Maha Al Saud said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cComprehensive security measures will be in place at Riyadh\u2019s airports, our conference venues and official hotels, with coordinated arrangements for participants\u2019 transportation,\u201d it said.<\/span><\/p>\n Chief executives \u200bof some of the world\u2019s \u200bbiggest financial institutions \u2060such as JPMorgan\u2019s Jamie Dimon and Citi\u2019s Jane Fraser were on the list of expected attendees. Citi and JPMorgan did not immediately respond to a request \u200bfor comment.<\/span><\/p>\n The Houthis have said airliners should avoid Saudi airspace, declaring it \u200ba zone of \u2060military operations after the Saudi-backed Yemeni government launched an offensive against the group earlier this month.<\/span><\/p>\n Germany\u2019s Lufthansa has suspended Riyadh flights through October 16 while Gulf carriers Etihad Airways and Flydubai have cancelled flights to \u2060and from \u200bthe Saudi capital scheduled for October 10.<\/span><\/p>\n