FAA warns US airlines to exercise caution in Saudi Arabia flights
As Houthis target Saudi Arabia's airports, foreign aviation services and embassies warn airlines and travelers to exercise caution in Saudi Arabia.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised US airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, citing safety threats from ongoing military activity and interference with navigation systems. This notice, valid until December 10, followed two attacks on Saturday and Sunday at Riyadh's international airport by the Houthis, which resulted in 14 casualties and over 300 injuries.
The FAA warns that these threats could pose a risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including overflight, arrival, and departure phases.
The notice applies to US-registered aircraft as well. Riyadh airport remains closed to flights through at least 5 p.m. EDT on Monday. Delta Air Lines, set to begin direct flights from Atlanta to Riyadh on October 23, has not yet commented on the safety issue, but CEO Ed Bastian mentioned that safety will be the primary consideration. FedEx, which launched its first dedicated flight to Saudi Arabia in September 2025, also operates six times per week between the Americas and Europe to Riyadh.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised against all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam, and Saudi airports on Monday, while the US Embassy in Jordan issued a travel advisory to Americans in the Middle East, specifically highlighting the recent Houthi attack on Riyadh airport. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also recommended that airlines avoid operating within additional portions of Saudi airspace following the attacks.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye condemn Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport brecorder.com
- Sheikh Hamdan shares Saudi flag, prays for Kingdom's security amid attacks gulfnews.com
- Japan denounces Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, urges deescalation mainichi.jp
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey demand end to Houthi attacks middleeasteye.net
- UK and US issue travel and aviation warnings for Saudi Arabia israelnationalnews.com
- Lithuania condemns Houthi attacks, voices support for Saudi Arabia english.ajel.sa
- Saudi health minister visits survivors of deadly Riyadh airport attack aljazeera.com
