Developing situation: this alert reflects information reported on 8 October 2026 and may change at short notice.
What happened
On 8 October, airlines reported that they are cancelling flights to Riyadh after the Houthis struck two airports in Saudi Arabia in recent days, killing three people and injuring dozens.
Operations at King Khalid International Airport have reportedly shut down for several hours and restarted multiple times over the past few days, as incoming attacks from Yemen made it unsafe for planes to land or take off. Abha airport in the southwest also came under fire.
Impact on travel
Riyadh Air has paused flights. Air India and Air India Express have cancelled Riyadh services until 10 October, and Lufthansa Group has suspended Riyadh flights through 16 October.
Services from the UAE are also affected: flydubai cancelled its 8 October Riyadh flights (FZ855/FZ856) and Etihad reported extended delays.
The situation is changing quickly. Travellers should confirm flight status directly with their airline before going to the airport.
Immigration and mobility considerations
No rule changes reported. At the time of writing, we have not identified any official announcement changing Saudi Arabia’s entry, exit or visa requirements.
Expiring permissions. Travellers whose visit visas, exit/re-entry permits or other permissions are close to expiry may be affected if flights are cancelled. Saudi authorities introduced temporary relief for visitors unable to leave because of flight cancellations between 31 March and 18 May 2026; we have not seen a similar announcement for the current disruption yet.
Rerouting. If travel is rerouted via a third country, check visa and transit requirements for the new routing before departure.
Planned travel and assignments. Business trips, relocations, visa appointments and assignment start dates involving Saudi Arabia may be delayed. Employers may wish to review upcoming travel in light of their duty-of-care obligations.
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on 7 October warning of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption, and urged US citizens to follow alerts from Saudi Civil Defense. The British Embassy has urged UK nationals to follow instructions from the Saudi authorities.
What we recommend
Let us know about any employees currently in, or due to travel to or from, Saudi Arabia, or with pending Saudi applications, so we can assess case-specific impact.
Check visa and permit expiry dates for affected travellers and contact us early if an extension may be needed.
Outlook
At present, the potential impact on business operations and service delivery remains unclear. We encourage all clients, applicants and travellers to follow official government channels and local authority guidance, and to check the latest travel advice from their embassy or consulate. We are monitoring developments closely and will share updates as soon as more information is available.
This alert is provided for general informational purposes and reflects Newland Chase’s understanding of current developments in the Region at the date and time of issue. The regional security situation in particular is evolving rapidly and details may change without notice; requirements may also be applied differently on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities. This does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please contact your Newland Chase immigration advisor.
