Riyadh airport operations suspended, US Mission to Saudi Arabia says in security alert

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia said in a security alert issued on 21 October 2026 that operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh are suspended. The alert follows attacks on Saudi Arabia that the mission attributes to Iranian-supported Houthis, including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure.

According to the alert, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam remain open, but with some delays and cancellations. The mission warns that further attacks on airports, airspace closures and flight cancellations are possible, and that hostilities could escalate rapidly. It adds that land borders, including the King Fahd Causeway, remain open, and presents road, rail and bus travel as alternatives.

Riyadh is one of the main gateways to the Gulf region, so the suspension can affect passengers travelling to the Saudi capital as well as those planning to connect there. The alert also says Saudi authorities warn that filming or sharing information about counter-missile and counter-drone activity can create legal liability, including photographs of airports.

The alert does not say when the Riyadh airport will reopen or which flights are affected. Passengers booked to or through Saudi Arabia should check the status of each flight directly with their airline and the airport before travelling, and follow official guidance from the Saudi authorities.