Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia right now? The US government is sending a clear signal. The State Department has ordered non-emergency staff at its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia, along with their families, to leave the country, and updated its travel warnings for 13 Middle Eastern countries. The order, made Friday, follows weeks of drone and missile attacks that have repeatedly hit Saudi airports, and it's one of the strongest steps the US takes short of telling all Americans to stay away.
What the New Advisory Says
Saudi Arabia stays at Level 3, "Reconsider Travel," the second-highest of the State Department's four levels. But the details changed in ways that matter for anyone flying there.
The advisory now warns that Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have carried out "attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties," and that the fighting could escalate quickly. US government employees who remain in the country now need special permission to use any Saudi airport, and they're barred from traveling within 20 miles of the Yemen border. They also need approval to visit several cities, including Taif, Yanbu and Jizan.
The State Department also points travelers to flight restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration covering the region, and suggests trains and buses as alternatives to flying within Saudi Arabia.
The only part of the country listed as "Do Not Travel" is the area along the Yemen border.
Saudi Arabia · Travel Advisory
What the New US Warning Means for You
Contrail
Why Now
Saudi airports have been targeted again and again this month. Riyadh’s main airport was hit four times between October 7 and October 11, killing at least 20 people, and a missile strike on its terminals on October 10 shut it down. It has only partly reopened, and many international flights still haven’t returned. Dammam’s airport has been targeted twice, most recently on October 21, when an attack killed two people and injured eight.
The update to the Middle East advisories says the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area."
Jeddah on Saturday
Departures at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the country's main gateway for international travelers and pilgrims, paused for about half an hour on Saturday evening, according to FlightAware data, amid unconfirmed reports of explosions in the city. Flights began taking off again around 6:40 p.m. local time. Saudi authorities haven't commented, and we'll update this story if that changes.
Which Airlines Are Still Flying
Saudi airlines, including Saudia, flynas and flyadeal, are still operating to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Many foreign airlines have pulled back:
- Lufthansa Group has suspended Dammam until November 30 and Riyadh until November 18.
- Etihad has canceled Riyadh and Dammam flights until November 5 and cut its Jeddah schedule.
- KLM has canceled Riyadh and Dammam through October 31.
- Emirates has suspended Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 25.
- Qatar Airways has cut its daily Jeddah flights from seven to four.
- Cathay Pacific won't return to Riyadh until the end of January.
Airlines have been extending these dates as they go.
Should You Still Go?
A Level 3 advisory isn't a ban, and thousands of people are still flying in and out of Saudi Arabia every day. But when the US pulls its own families out, that's worth taking seriously.
If you're planning a trip, especially a non-essential one, consider postponing it. If you need to travel:
- Check your flight right before you leave, since cancellations are happening at short notice.
- Fly with an airline that's still operating, and have a backup plan if your connection is canceled.
- Enroll in the State Department's STEP program, so the embassy can reach you in an emergency.
- Check your travel insurance. Many policies don't cover trips to places under certain government warnings, so read the fine print before you go.
- Pilgrims traveling for Umrah should stay in close touch with their tour operator, since group itineraries can change quickly.
