Saudi Arabia Extends Riyadh Airport Closure Amid US Aviation Safety Warning

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operational activities at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following a series of recent attacks, as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a formal warning regarding regional flight safety.

The Saudi aviation authority stated that the extension is necessary to complete comprehensive inspections of the facility to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the airport infrastructure. Officials have not yet provided a definitive timeline for the resumption of scheduled flights or standard ground operations.

In a concurrent development, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised American air carriers to exercise heightened caution when operating within or traversing Saudi airspace. The agency cited potential risks to aircraft at all altitudes, noting that the security environment could be volatile for civilian aviation.

The FAA notice, which remains in effect until December 10, warns that the risks extend to both arrival and departure phases, as well as en route transit. The agency highlighted specific concerns regarding military activity and the potential for interference with navigation systems, describing the current situation as potentially hazardous for U.S.-registered aircraft operators.

These precautionary measures follow two separate attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. According to Saudi authorities, the first incident resulted in 13 fatalities and over 300 injuries, while a subsequent attack on Sunday led to one death and 11 additional injuries.