Saudi Arabia Extends Riyadh Airport Operations Halt Amid US Air Travel Advisory

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following attacks on the facility. Concurrently, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued a warning to airlines regarding potential risks associated with military activity and navigation system interference within Saudi airspace.

The Saudi authority stated in a release that the extension of the suspension is to "complete the necessary procedures to verify the safety and operational readiness of the airport facilities," without specifying a timeline for the resumption of flights and operations.

In a related development, the U.S. FAA has urged airlines to exercise caution when traveling to or transiting through Saudi Arabia, warning of potential threats to aircraft at all altitudes. The advisory, effective until December 10, indicated that risks could affect aircraft during overflights, as well as during arrival and departure phases, describing the situation as potentially hazardous.

This warning also encompasses operators of U.S.-registered aircraft, citing concerns related to military activity and the possibility of navigation systems being jammed or interfered with.

These measures follow attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport on Saturday and Sunday. Saudi authorities reported that the first attack resulted in 13 fatalities and over 300 injuries, while the Sunday attack led to one death and 11 injuries.