Update to our earlier Saudi Arabia coverage: what is new is a fresh U.S. Mission security alert issued November 2 with an updated airport-by-airport status, a Houthi claim of a drone strike on Dammam airport, and a drone the Saudi-led coalition says it shot down over the Makkah region on November 3.
November 3, 2026 — The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a new countrywide security alert on November 2, warning that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruption and could escalate quickly. The mission told Americans: “Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia.”
What’s new
- New U.S. alert (Nov. 2): The U.S. Mission’s alert covers all of Saudi Arabia. It repeats that, since October 23, 2026, non-emergency U.S. government staff and their families have been ordered to leave the country, and U.S. government employees need special authorization to use any Saudi airport.
- Dammam claim: A Houthi spokesman said the group targeted Dammam airport with two drones over a 48-hour period and also hit a radar and a military transport aircraft at Jazan airport. These claims, reported by TASS on November 2, have not been independently confirmed.
- Makkah region (Nov. 3): The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Makkah region; it gave no details on damage or injuries. The Houthis denied launching any drones toward Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported.
- Diplomacy: Iran’s foreign minister said on November 3 that talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia are ongoing, following a meeting in Tehran last week of Saudi, Turkish, Pakistani and Iranian officials.
Airport status (U.S. Mission, Nov. 2)
| Airport | Status reported |
|---|---|
| Riyadh King Khalid International (RUH) | Partly reopened since October 23 for domestic flights and some international flights by national carriers; some Riyadh flights are operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International (ELQ) in Qassim |
| Jeddah King Abdulaziz International (JED) | Operating, with some delays and cancellations |
| Dammam King Fahd International (DMM) | Operating, with some delays and cancellations |
| Bahrain, Amman, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah | Reported operational |
| Land crossings incl. King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain | Reported operational |
Advisory levels
- United States: The U.S. Mission’s alert shows Saudi Arabia at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, plus the Worldwide Caution. We could not load the State Department’s advisory page today to confirm whether the level or date has changed.
- Canada: Avoid non-essential travel, with regional advisories (last updated October 29). Canada says to avoid all travel to Riyadh’s King Khalid International and Dammam’s King Fahd International airports because of military activity, and to Asir, Jazan and Najran provinces and areas within 30 km of the Yemen border. Note that the U.S. and Canadian descriptions of the Riyadh and Dammam airports differ.
What it means for airline travelers
- Standby travel into or through Saudi Arabia is high-risk right now: schedules can change at short notice after an attack, and seats out may vanish if flights are cancelled. Have a confirmed way out before you go.
- If you must connect in the Gulf, the U.S. Mission reports Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Sharjah and Amman airports operating — routings through those hubs may be more reliable than Riyadh or Dammam.
- Check your flight status directly with the airline and airport before leaving for the airport, as the U.S. Mission advises.
- If an aerial attack happens, the mission says to stay away from glass and debris, follow Saudi Civil Defense phone alerts and keep a low profile. Do not photograph airports, government buildings or impact sites — the alert notes people have been detained for this.
- Enroll in STEP (U.S. citizens) or Registration of Canadians Abroad so you get alerts.
- Check your travel insurance: many policies exclude losses in places under a government “avoid” advisory or linked to war or hostilities.
Sources
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Saudi Arabia: Security Alert: U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia – November 2, 2026
- Government of Canada: Travel advice and advisories: Saudi Arabia (updated Oct. 29, 2026)
- The Express Tribune (Reuters/Anadolu): Saudi-led coalition says drone intercepted over Makkah region as Houthis deny launching attack
- TASS: Houthi rebels claim strikes on airports in eastern, southern Saudi Arabia
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