by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:25 AM ET, Mon October 12, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration has warned U.S. airlines to be cautious when flying in or out of Saudi Arabia following the deadly attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), which have been claimed by Yemen’s Houthis and whom Iran is supporting.
Airlines have suspended flights to the airport this week, with FlightAware reporting the airport's cancelled nearly 500 daily flights as of Monday morning.
According to CNBC, the airport remains closed today, October 12, after being attacked repeatedly last week. The attack escalated on Saturday, when a projectile hit a passenger terminal, killing at least 12 and wounding over 300 people.
The FAA has cautioned pilots flying in or through Saudi Arabia, “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activities.” The warning is in effect through December 10.
While most U.S. air carriers don’t fly to Saudi Arabia at all, meaning the warning’s impact will be minimal at best, Delta Air Lines had scheduled its first nonstop flight from Atlanta to Riyadh on October 23.
Before the Saturday missile attack, the airline’s CEO, Ed Bastian, said that “safety is going to make the call” on whether the route will begin operations as scheduled. Delta has since delayed the launch of the route to March, 2027.
After the attack, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is also urging Americans in the country to avoid the airport for now and stay alert for changes to their travel plans, cancellations or security-related updates.
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