FAA Issues Safety Advisory for U.S. Carriers Operating in Saudi Airspace Amid Regional Hostilities

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed U.S. airlines on Sunday to exercise heightened caution when operating to, from, or over Saudi Arabia, citing safety hazards linked to ongoing military operations and navigation system interference.

The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), effective through December 10, follows strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday attack resulted in 13 fatalities and over 300 injuries.

“Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including overflight, arrival, and departure phases,” the FAA stated, characterizing the environment as a “potentially hazardous situation.” The advisory also extends to operators of U.S.-registered aircraft.

Riyadh’s primary airport remains closed to flight operations through at least 5:00 p.m. EDT Monday.

The directive creates immediate uncertainty for Delta Air Lines, which is scheduled to inaugurate direct service between Atlanta and Riyadh on October 23. The carrier did not respond to requests for comment Sunday, though CEO Ed Bastian indicated last week that safety assessments would determine the launch timeline. Other major U.S. airlines currently serve the Saudi capital via codeshare agreements.

Cargo operations are also affected; FedEx launched its first dedicated freighter service into the kingdom in September 2025, operating a Boeing 777 six times weekly linking the Americas and Europe to Riyadh with onward connections to Guangzhou and Shanghai.

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