The FAA is warning U.S. airlines to exercise increased caution while flying to, from, across, or around Saudi Arabia after a deadly attack by the Yemeni Houthis on Riyadh’s main commercial airport.
“Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including overflight, the arrival, and departure phases of flight,” the agency said in a Notice to Airmen. The NOTAM remains in effect through Dec. 10.
The missile attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people on Saturday and injured hundreds more. Saudi officials said the projectile struck Terminal 3, which is used by commercial airline passengers. Surveillance video from the airport shows the blast partially collapsed the building’s ceiling and shattered decorative facades and glass windows.
The assault was the deadliest foreign attack on Saudi soil in decades.
The airport came under fire again Sunday; one person was killed and several were wounded.
King Khalid International is closed until at least Monday evening. After that, it will be up to individual airlines whether to restart service.
Currently, no U.S. carriers fly nonstop to Saudi Arabia, though that will change when Delta launches service between Atlanta and Riyadh on Oct. 23.
CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC on Friday that the airline was already weighing whether to start service to Riyadh as planned in light of separate, earlier attacks on King Khalid.
“Obviously, we were disappointed to see the news this week,” he said. “Safety is going to make the call.”
Bastian said the airline will make its decision soon.
