FAA Warns Airlines After Riyadh Airport Attacks

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remained closed after deadly attacks prompted the FAA to warn U.S. airlines about flight safety risks near the country, with Delta Air Lines reviewing its planned Atlanta-Riyadh service.

Saudi authorities said an October 10 attack on a passenger terminal killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. The airport suspended operations, while airlines diverted or canceled flights after repeated strikes.

The FAA issued a warning covering flights in or around Saudi Arabia until December 10, citing risks linked to military activity and navigation systems. The agency said threats could affect aircraft at all altitudes.

"Exercise caution" was advised by the FAA for pilots operating in or around Saudi Arabia due to flight safety risks.

"Due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activities" was the FAA's explanation for the warning issued to U.S. airlines.

"To aircraft at all altitudes" was the FAA's description of the potential scope of the threats affecting aviation operations.

Delta Air Lines is scheduled to begin nonstop flights from Atlanta to Riyadh on October 23, a route that would become the first nonstop service to the Saudi capital by a U.S. carrier. The airline has not announced a change to the launch plan.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline's safety and security department would decide whether the route can proceed after the airport attacks.

"Safety is going to make the call." Bastian said.

The planned route is set to use Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with the service initially planned as a daily flight before changing to three weekly flights from October 30. Delta had previously promoted the route as part of its international expansion.

Delta's spokesperson addressed the status of the planned launch after the attacks and said the carrier had not changed its announcement.

"Not announced any changes to our previous announcement." a Delta spokesperson said.

Several airlines, including Lufthansa Group carriers, Air India, Akasa Air, IndiGo, Philippine Airlines and flydubai, reduced or suspended services to Riyadh following the strikes, according to Simple Flying.

Bastian also discussed the impact of the attacks during comments on the airline's plans and expressed disappointment about the situation.

"Obviously, we were disappointed to see the news this week." Bastian said.

The attacks were claimed by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, according to CNBC and Skift. The U.S., Australia and other countries advised citizens against travel to the region after the escalation.