- The FAA warned U.S.-linked aircraft of military and navigation risks in Saudi airspace through December 10, 2026.
- Two attacks on Riyadh airport killed 14 people and injured hundreds; the airport was closed at least until October 12.
- Delta’s planned Atlanta–Riyadh launch on October 23 depends on its safety assessment; the FAA notice is not a flight ban.
The FAA urged U.S. airlines and operators of U.S.-registered aircraft to use caution on flights to, from or over Saudi Arabia, citing military activity and satellite-navigation interference. The notice remains active through December 10, 2026.
The warning followed two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh over the weekend. The agency said threats could affect aircraft at every altitude, including during overflights, arrivals and departures.
“Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including overflight, the arrival, and departure phases of flight.”
The agency called the conditions a “potentially hazardous situation.” This is a caution notice, not a flight ban.
The attacks killed 14 people and wounded hundreds
The Saturday, October 10 attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, according to the reported figures. Those killed included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one person each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.
A second strike on Sunday, October 11, killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others, Saudi civil-aviation authorities said. The airport suffered material damage that remained under assessment.
Riyadh’s airport remained closed at least until 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 12. The warning covers more than the airport itself: U.S.-linked aircraft operating across Saudi airspace face the risks identified by the agency.
The notice points to ongoing military operations and GNSS interference, which can disrupt satellite-based aircraft navigation and positioning. It covers exposure during cruise, approach, arrival and departure, rather than only overflight.
The Houthi warning widened the threat beyond Riyadh
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesperson, warned airlines and travelers away from Saudi airports and airspace, describing them as vulnerable to attack. He said airports in Mecca and Medina were exempt.
“All airlines, experts, employees, workers and travellers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theatre of operations for our forces.”
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks and described them as a response to “Saudi aggression.” The Saudi-led coalition called the October 11 airport attack “a full-fledged war crime.”
The attacks were also linked to strikes or claimed strikes on facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco, the state oil company. Military activity and navigation-system disruption are separate hazards, but both feature in the agency’s caution notice.
Delta’s October 23 launch now faces a safety decision
No U.S. airline operated regular direct passenger service to Riyadh when the warning was issued. U.S. carriers did serve destinations in the kingdom through codeshare partners.
Delta Air Lines plans to start direct flights between Atlanta and Riyadh on October 23, 2026. Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said, “Safety is going to make the call,” leaving the launch dependent on the carrier’s safety assessment.
FedEx already flies to Riyadh. It launched its first dedicated flight into Saudi Arabia in September 2025, giving it an operating presence at the airport while passenger services face uncertainty.
The disruption reached airports in Jeddah and Dammam
The Riyadh closure came alongside cancellations, delays and ground-operation disruptions at two other Saudi airports.
| Airport | Reported disruption |
|---|---|
| King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh | Closed at least until 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 12; damage assessment continued |
| King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah | 156 flights, or 20% of scheduled flights, canceled; 374 flights, or 49%, delayed |
| King Fahd International Airport, Dammam | No departures during a two-hour period; three arrivals during four hours |
Governments and aviation bodies urged restraint
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the attacks by Iran’s proxies were pushing the region toward wider violence. She also said they were destabilizing transport and energy infrastructure with global importance.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States would join Saudi military action against the Houthis. “We’re going to look at it,” he said. He also said he planned to speak with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler.
Asked whether the United States might become involved, Trump said, “We’ll find out.” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Arab governments including Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, and European Union officials condemned the attacks.
The United Kingdom Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised against all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam and Saudi airports. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan warned that Iran-backed Houthis had attacked civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, with hostilities capable of escalating quickly.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency separately recommended that airlines avoid additional parts of Saudi airspace. Its advice adds another aviation body’s warning to the operational decisions carriers must make.
The notice leaves operating decisions with carriers
The FAA notice does not prohibit U.S. flights. It directs affected operators to reassess operations while accounting for both possible military threats and navigation disruption.
That scope includes U.S. airlines and operators of aircraft registered in the United States, even when the flight is not bound for Riyadh. The notice runs through December 10, 2026.
