Riyadh Airport attack triggers Western travel warnings
Shafaq News- Riyadh (Updated at 00:20)
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday injured several people and forced a temporary suspension of operations, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said.
#بيان بشأن استهداف مطار الملك خالد الدولي بالرياض، وتعليق العمليات التشغيلية مؤقتًا. #الطيران_المدني https://t.co/T4NM0WeEQA
— هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) October 10, 2026
The United States, Canada, Germany, Spain and Britain urged their citizens to avoid the airport amid heightened security concerns and disruptions to air travel.
We have updated our travel advice for #SaudiArabia due to military activity affecting operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Avoid all travel to the airport due to the security situation. More info: https://t.co/CwbNElwuGQ
— Travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) October 10, 2026
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia said it was aware of attacks on the airport and strongly advised Americans to avoid it and surrounding areas. It warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and further travel disruption, urging passengers to check directly with airlines and airport authorities before travelling.
Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 10, 2026) The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 and strongly recommends all U.S. citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions: U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif. Read more: https://t.co/uBrNoUIE3W
— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) October 10, 2026
US government personnel in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization to use King Khalid International Airport. They are also barred from travelling within 20 miles of the Saudi-Yemeni border and require approval to travel to Jazan, Asir and Najran, as well as Qatif, Yanbu and Taif.
US President Donald Trump said Washington could consider joining Saudi strikes against Yemen’s Houthis following the latest attack, saying a decision would be made after reviewing the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry asked citizens stranded abroad by the suspension of flights to Riyadh to contact the kingdom’s diplomatic missions for assistance.
The attack comes amid Operation Dawn of Yemen, a Saudi-backed offensive launched on October 5 by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government against Houthi-held territory, with the stated aim of eventually retaking Sanaa.
