Australia Warns Against Riyadh Airport After Deadly Attacks

Australia has issued a do-not-travel warning for Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport following deadly missile and drone strikes. The attack killed at least a dozen people and injured more than 300, prompting flight suspensions and diversions. Australians are also advised to reconsider travel through other Saudi airports and to avoid southern areas near the Yemen border.

Australia’s Smartraveller update on 12 October 2026 placed King Khalid International Airport under a no-travel instruction while keeping Saudi Arabia at a level that urges travellers to reconsider whether their trip is necessary. Southern regions near Yemen also carry stricter warnings, and consular help may be delayed if conditions worsen.

The strikes disrupted Riyadh flights, with some services rerouted through other Gulf hubs and others cancelled or changed. Doha and Dubai have been moved to a lower caution tier, but Saudi airspace remains riskier. Carriers have used varied steps, including pausing some ticket sales and offering rebooking, while insurers watch advisories closely.