Washington, DC, October 12 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised US airlines on Sunday to exercise caution for flights to or over Saudi Arabia, citing safety risks from ongoing military activities and navigation system interference. The Notice to Airmen lasts until December 10 and covers operators of US-registered aircraft. It follows weekend strikes on Riyadh’s international airport that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 on Saturday.
Riyadh airport remains closed to flights through at least 5 p.m. EDT Monday. The FAA stated threats pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including overflight, arrival, and departure phases of flight, calling it a potentially hazardous situation. Airlines should heighten aviation safety measures in Saudi airspace accordingly right now.
Delta Air Lines plans direct Atlanta to Riyadh flights starting October 23. Other major US airlines serve Riyadh via codeshare partners. FedEx began dedicated Boeing 777 freighter service six times weekly in September 2025, connecting the Americas and Europe to Riyadh with links to Guangzhou and Shanghai.
These steps address aviation security concerns in the Middle East amid military operations. Operators must monitor FAA updates on Saudi Arabia flights and apply risk mitigation strategies to safeguard passengers and crew until the Notice to Airmen ends.