October 5, 2026 — Update to our October 4 story. A Houthi-run body in Yemen warned all airlines on Monday that Saudi Arabia’s airspace is unsafe and will become a zone of military operations. No airline or Saudi authority had responded in the reports we opened, and no Saudi airport or airspace closure was reported. Separately, Israel barred air crew holding any of 27 nationalities from Israel-bound flights.
The Saudi airspace warning
- Who issued it: the Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, through the Houthi-run Saba news agency, on Monday, October 5.
- What it says: airlines operating in Saudi airspace are warned that it is unsafe while Saudi air strikes on Yemen continue, and the group disclaims responsibility for what follows.
- Response: Reuters reported that the Saudi government media office did not immediately respond. We found no airline announcing a change because of the warning.
- Existing guidance: a European aviation safety bulletin dated September 30 already advises operators to avoid part of Saudi airspace. The UK’s Saudi Arabia advice, last updated September 20, says airports could close at short notice.
The fighting behind it
- The Saudi-led coalition said 100 fighter jets took part in an air campaign it calls Operation Yemen Dawn and that 324 targets were destroyed.
- Yemeni government forces attacked Houthi positions on three fronts and claim the Dhubab district and control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Houthis dispute the losses.
- Reports of a strike on a Saudi pipeline near Khurais conflict and are unconfirmed.
Israel: crew rule and stranded passengers
- New rule (October 4): Israel’s Transportation Ministry barred crew members who hold citizenship of 27 countries from operating or boarding Israel-bound flights, the Times of Israel reported. Named countries include Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The full list was not published in the reports we opened. Foreign carriers, including US airlines, were notified.
- Why: on September 30 the copilot of a flydubai Dubai–Tel Aviv flight attacked the captain; the flight diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- flydubai: Tel Aviv flights are suspended at least through October 14.
- Stranded: about 10,000 Israelis are stuck in Dubai and elsewhere. El Al, Arkia and Israir are flying them home, slowed by a rule that checked bags travel on separate aircraft. Arkia plans one Dubai–Tel Aviv flight a day through October 12.
- West Bank checkpoints: no new information on the October 5 and 7 closures.
Airline suspensions listed October 5
| Airline | Route | Status |
|---|---|---|
| KLM | Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai | Suspended until October 24 |
| Air France | Riyadh, Dubai | Suspended until October 24 |
| British Airways | Riyadh | Resumes November 3 |
| British Airways | Tel Aviv | Resumes October 25 |
| Cathay Pacific | Dubai, Riyadh | Suspended until January 31, 2027 |
| Singapore Airlines | Dubai | Suspended until December 1 |
| Scoot | Jeddah | Suspended until December 2 |
| flydubai | Tel Aviv | Suspended at least through October 14 |
| Air Canada | Tel Aviv, Dubai | Suspended until March 31, 2027 |
| Delta | Atlanta–Tel Aviv | Suspended until December 18 |
| Wizz Air | Amman | Suspended until October 25 |
Source for the table: The National’s flight roundup, October 5, and the Times of Israel.
What it means for airline travelers
- Treat any standby itinerary to, from or through Saudi Arabia as high risk this week. Flights can cancel or airports close with little notice, and a non-rev traveler is last in line to be rebooked.
- Crew and airline staff: if you hold one of the listed nationalities, ask your airline before listing on any Israel-bound flight. Whether the rule covers deadheading or non-rev travel is not confirmed.
- Loads out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv are full of stranded passengers. Do not count on standby seats there before mid-October.
- Carry a confirmed backup ticket or enough funds to buy one, and check that your travel insurance covers war-related disruption; many policies exclude it.
- US citizens should enroll in STEP and Canadians in Registration of Canadians Abroad before travel to the region.
Sources
- L’Orient Today (Reuters) — Houthi-run body warns airlines flying in Saudi airspace
- TASS — Houthis call on airlines to avoid Saudi Arabia’s airspace
- Arab News — Coalition says 100 fighter jets took part in ‘Operation Yemen Dawn’
- The National — Yemen government forces claim Bab Al Mandeb gains as Saudi coalition says 100 jets join Houthi offensive
- The National — Middle East flights: Singapore Airlines and Scoot extend suspensions
- Times of Israel — Eisenkot, Bennett demand Regev’s ouster over security failures exposed by flydubai attack
- Times of Israel — Security hurdles slow airlines’ effort to bring stranded Israelis home from Dubai
- CBS News — Live updates: battle for control of the Red Sea
- UK Foreign Office (official) — Saudi Arabia travel advice
- Safe Airspace — Conflict zone and risk database
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