The US State Department on Sunday urged American citizens to exercise “extreme caution” at all major airports in Saudi Arabia following a deadly attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday.
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia strongly recommended that American citizens avoid the airport in the Saudi capital and surrounding areas, according to a security alert.
“US government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorisation to use King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the airports in Jeddah and Dammam. Please take extreme caution when using all major airports in Saudi Arabia,” the alert said.
It also warned American citizens of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised US airlines on Sunday to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia, citing safety threats linked to ongoing military activity and interference with navigation systems.
The FAA warned that the threats could endanger aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflights, arrivals and departures, describing the situation as potentially hazardous.
The warnings followed a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday that killed 12 people and injured 309 others, according to Saudi aviation authorities. Saudi authorities attributed the attack to Yemen’s Houthi group.
The incident has heightened concerns over aviation safety and the potential for further disruptions to air travel across the region.