Airlines extend cancellations of Saudi Arabia flights as Smartraveller warns against travel
Written by AI from travelmonitor.com.au's report. Not checked by a person.
Several airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to Saudi Arabia, with Etihad's Abu Dhabi services to Riyadh and Dammam off until 19 November, according to The National. Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Saudi Arabia.
A daily travel watch list for 11 November 2026 says airlines are still cancelling flights to Saudi Arabia. It cites The National, which reported on 6 November that Etihad has cancelled Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh and Dammam until 19 November. IndiGo has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 14 November, and Air India has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam services until the same date. Lufthansa has suspended Riyadh until 18 November and Dammam until 30 November. KLM has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam until 27 November, and Philippine Airlines has cancelled Riyadh until 29 November. Cathay Pacific has cancelled Riyadh passenger flights until 31 January 2027.
Smartraveller, the Australian government's travel advisory service, gave overall advice of "do not travel" for Saudi Arabia in an update dated 4 November. It also advises against travel to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Abha International Airport, citing security incidents that disrupted operations. It says air travel is significantly disrupted at all major Saudi airports, with regular airspace closures, cancellations and delays.
The watch list advises travel agents with clients booked to or through Saudi Arabia, including Umrah travellers, to confirm every flight with the operating airline and check rebooking, refund and insurance options. It notes that resumption dates keep changing, so travellers should check with the airline before relying on any of them.
