Surveillance footage shows people reacting amid smoke at the moment of an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 10, 2026, in this frame from a handout video.<\/p>\n
Saudi Ministry of Media | Reuters<\/p>\n
The Federal Aviation Administration told U.S. airlines to exercise caution when flying in or around Saudi Arabia after deadly attacks claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, which have shut down the airport in the Saudi capital.<\/p>\n
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remains closed as of Monday after strikes that started last week. The attacks escalated Saturday, when a projectile struck a passenger terminal at the airport, officials said, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 300. <\/p>\n
Airlines suspended flights to the airport, some for the rest of the week.<\/p>\n
The U.S., Australia and other countries advised citizens against travel<\/a> to the region.<\/p>\n The FAA late Sunday said pilots should “exercise caution” in or around Saudi Arabia “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activities” and navigation systems. It said the threats could be a potential risk “to aircraft at all altitudes.” The FAA’s warning is in effect until Dec. 10.<\/p>\n Most U.S. airlines don’t fly to Saudi Arabia. <\/p>\n Delta Air Lines<\/a> is scheduled to launch its first nonstop flight from Atlanta to Riyadh on Oct. 23. CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview<\/a> Thursday, before the Saturday missile attack, that “safety is going to make the call” on whether to operate the flight as planned. As of Sunday night, Delta hadn’t changed its plans, a spokeswoman said.<\/p>\n