October 18, 2026 — Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) reopened on Sunday, October 18, after a closure that followed Houthi attacks from Yemen. But many foreign airlines have not returned yet, the United Kingdom has widened its warning to cover the whole kingdom, and the US Mission issued a new security alert on October 17.
What’s new since our last update
- Airport reopened: The National reports that RUH resumed operations on Sunday, October 18. The aviation notice (NOTAM) that closed the airport expired at 2100 GMT on October 17 (midnight Saudi time). Karmactive reports that flights are returning in stages, with Saudia running only limited domestic operations at first.
- UK advice widened: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Its stricter warning against all travel within 10 km of the Yemen border stays in place. The FCDO says further airport attacks and flight cancellations are very likely.
- New US security alert (October 17): The US Mission to Saudi Arabia warned of possible further attacks on Saudi airports, airspace closures and flight cancellations. At the time of the alert, Jeddah and Dammam airports were operating with some delays and cancellations. US government employees need special approval from the Chief of Mission to use any Saudi airport. The mission also repeated Saudi warnings against filming or sharing images of interceptions or impact sites, and said US citizens have been detained for breaking these rules.
- Canada: Travel.gc.ca still advises avoiding non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. It says to avoid all travel to Asir, Jazan and Najran provinces, within 30 km of the Yemen border, and to King Khalid International Airport. Its page was last updated October 11, before the reopening.
- US advisory level: Unchanged at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), issued October 12.
Airlines still suspended or cutting service (as reported October 18)
| Airline | Saudi service affected | Suspended until |
|---|---|---|
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi–Riyadh | October 19 |
| flydubai | Riyadh, Dammam, Abha | October 19 |
| Emirates | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam (cancellations and schedule changes) | TBA |
| Qatar Airways | Riyadh, Dammam | TBA |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah to several Saudi cities | TBA |
| Oman Air | Riyadh | October 22 |
| Air France | Riyadh | October 24 |
| Air India / Air India Express | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam | October 24 |
| IndiGo | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah | October 24 |
| KLM | Riyadh, Dammam | October 31 |
| SalamAir | Riyadh, Dammam | October 31 |
| Lufthansa | Riyadh / Dammam | November 18 / November 30 |
| Philippine Airlines | Riyadh (PR654/PR655) | November 29 |
| Scoot | Singapore–Jeddah | December 2 |
| Cathay Pacific | Riyadh | January 31, 2027 |
| Delta | Atlanta–Riyadh launch (was October 23) | Postponed to March 2027 |
Malaysia Airlines resumed Jeddah and Madinah flights on October 18, and Gulf Air says flights after October 18 are operating as scheduled. British Airways plans one daily Riyadh flight from November 3, and Eurowings plans to resume Jeddah on November 12. Karmactive reports that a separate airspace conflict-zone warning remains in effect until December 10, 2026, and some carriers are basing their plans on it rather than on the airport’s reopening.
What it means for airline travelers
- An open airport does not mean open seats. With many foreign carriers still out, the flights that are running will be full of passengers rebooked from cancellations. Standby seats to and from Riyadh will be very hard to get this week.
- Check the flight, not just the airport. Confirm each flight directly with the airline before heading to RUH, Jeddah or Dammam, and expect suspensions to be extended at short notice.
- Have an overland backup. The US alert pointed to Saudi Arabia Railways, SAT Transportation and SAPTCO buses, and to operating airports in Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Check entry rules for any neighboring country before you go.
- Do not film or photograph missile interceptions, debris or impact sites. People have been detained for it.
- Follow Saudi Civil Defense alerts sent to mobile phones, and register with STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad.
- Insurance: UK travelers are warned that going against FCDO advice can invalidate their travel insurance. US and Canadian travelers should check whether their policy has similar exclusions for areas under government warnings.
Sources
- The National — Riyadh airport reopens: Which airlines are still cancelling flights to Saudi Arabia?
- Karmactive — Riyadh airport NOTAM expires as airlines stagger return to RUH flights
- Gulf Business — UK now warns Britons against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia
- Gulf News — UK updates Saudi Arabia travel warning, flags attack risks to airports and energy sites
- Gulf News — US warns citizens of airport attack risks in Saudi Arabia amid security alert (report on the US Mission alert of October 17)
- US Mission to Saudi Arabia (official) — Security Alert: U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia – October 17, 2026
- Government of Canada (official) — Saudi Arabia travel advice
- US Department of State (official) — Travel Advisories
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