If you have a trip to Saudi Arabia booked, check your route and your airline now. Several governments advise against travel to parts of the country, and some airports are closed after attacks. The situation is changing quickly, so confirm details with official sources before you travel.
Key facts (as of 12 October 2026)
- The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Aseer, Riyadh, Najran and Jizan provinces and the cities of Taif, Jeddah and Dammam, and to all airports in Saudi Arabia except Medina International Airport.
- Canada advises against all travel to King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh), and against all travel to Asir, Jazan and Najran provinces.
- The US advises reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia and do not travel to the Yemen border.
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are closed.
- More than 500 flights to and from Riyadh were cancelled on Monday, according to Flightradar24.
- If you are in Saudi Arabia, follow local authorities and check your flight status directly with your airline.
Who this affects
These warnings affect anyone planning to travel to or from Saudi Arabia, and anyone already there. They matter most if your route uses Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan, Najran or Yanbu.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the cities of Jeddah and Dammam, and to all airports in Saudi Arabia except Medina International Airport. It also advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen.
Canada advises against all travel to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and to the provinces of Asir, Jazan and Najran. It advises against non-essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia.
The US embassy advises US citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia. US government employees need special authorization to use King Khalid International Airport and are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border.
Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan have also issued warnings. South Korea recommended that its citizens in Saudi Arabia leave unless on essential business, and that anyone planning to travel cancel their trip.
What to do if you have a booking
- Check your flight status directly with your airline before leaving for the airport. Do not rely on your original booking confirmation.
- If your flight is cancelled, contact your airline or travel agent about rebooking and refund options.
- If you have onward connections, confirm whether changes are needed to the rest of your journey.
- Check whether your route goes through an area or airport where your government advises against travel. If it does, consider whether your travel is essential.
- If you are in Saudi Arabia, keep your departure plans under review and make sure your travel documents and visas are up to date.
- Be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption.
- Follow instructions from local authorities. If told to shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building. An interior stairwell or a room with few external walls or windows may give more protection.
- Keep emergency supplies and essential medication with you.
Further attacks against airports are very likely. Saudi airspace and airports could close at any time with little or no warning. If you travel against your government's advice, your travel insurance could be invalidated.
Costs and timing
There is no single fee or deadline for this situation. Costs depend on your airline, your ticket type and your insurance. Contact your airline or travel agent to ask about rebooking and refund options.
Timing is the main issue. The closure of Riyadh airport has been extended until midnight on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 (1am on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, UAE time), according to Flightradar24. An earlier notice had indicated the airport would remain closed until midnight on Sunday. The latest notice referred to precautionary measures but did not say when passenger operations would resume.
Some airlines have cancelled flights further ahead. Flydubai has cancelled flights to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh up to and including 14 October 2026, according to a flydubai representative. Etihad has announced cancellations for Monday and Tuesday, affecting Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Emirates has cancelled flights between Dubai and Riyadh on Monday and Tuesday.
If you need to leave Saudi Arabia, the UK FCDO suggests British nationals consider travelling by land to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE or Jordan and flying from there. If you do this, check the travel advice and entry requirements for the country you plan to enter. If travelling by car, the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name. Check the status of border crossings before you travel.
Exceptions and areas with different advice
Medina International Airport is the exception in the UK advice: the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all airports in Saudi Arabia except Medina International Airport.
The Yemen border is the highest-risk area. The UK advises against all travel within 10km of the border. Canada advises against all travel within 30km of the border. The US advises do not travel to the Yemen border region for any reason.
Northern Saudi border: Saudi authorities have declared out-of-bounds zones within 20km of the border with Iraq and the towns of Hafr al Batin and Khafji. Entering without authorization can lead to imprisonment and fines.
Hajj: the next Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is expected from 14 May to 19 May 2027, pending the official moon sighting. There are safety risks at religious sites due to overcrowding.
What is not yet confirmed
It is not confirmed when King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh will reopen for passenger flights. The latest notice referred to precautionary measures but did not specify a resumption time.
It is not confirmed how long the disruption will last or what restrictions will apply once airports reopen. An aviation analyst told Al Jazeera it was too early to predict the ramifications for aviation across the region.
Some flights listed as cancelled may change. Emirates flights EK818 and EK820 from Riyadh to Dubai had not been cancelled at the time of writing but were subject to further changes.
Always check the official page for your government's travel advice and your airline's website for the latest information.
Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia now?
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Several governments advise against travel to parts of Saudi Arabia. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Aseer, Riyadh, Najran and Jizan provinces and the cities of Taif, Jeddah and Dammam, and to all airports except Medina. Canada advises against all travel to Riyadh airport and to Asir, Jazan and Najran provinces. The US advises reconsider travel. Check your own government's advice before deciding.
Which airports are affected?
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are closed. Flights to and from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah have also been disrupted. The UK advises against all but essential travel to all airports in Saudi Arabia except Medina International Airport.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
Contact your airline or travel agent about rebooking and refund options. Check your flight status directly with your airline before leaving for the airport. If you have onward connections, confirm whether changes are needed to the rest of your journey.
Can I leave Saudi Arabia by land?
The UK FCDO suggests British nationals consider travelling by land to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE or Jordan and flying from there. You must check entry requirements for the country you plan to enter and ensure you have the correct paperwork, or you may be denied entry. If travelling by car, the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name.
Will my travel insurance cover me if I travel against advice?
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from your government. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance and trip cancellation coverage.
This guide is general information only. Rules, flight schedules and airport status can change quickly. Always check official government advice and your airline before travelling. For health questions, ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before travelling.
Sources
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Foreign travel advice: Saudi Arabia (checked October 12, 2026)
- Government of Canada — Saudi Arabia travel advice (checked October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia — Travel Advisory Update: Saudi Arabia October 10, 2026 (checked October 12, 2026)
- OSAC — Security Alert: All Saudi Arabia, Exercise Heightened Vigilance Among Threats to Airports (checked October 12, 2026)
- Al Jazeera — Countries warn against travel to Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks (checked October 12, 2026)
- The National — Riyadh airport closure: Emirates, Etihad cancel flights Sunday, Monday (checked October 12, 2026)
About the author
Bookskies Editorial TeamBookskies uses AI for drafts and translations. This organizational byline does not identify a named expert or certify a human review. Check the guide’s sources and documented review status before relying on time-sensitive claims.
