The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has upgraded its travel advice for Saudi Arabia, issuing a specific “do-not-travel” warning for King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after a series of drone and missile strikes disrupted operations over the weekend. The change appears in an updated Smartraveller advisory dated 12 October 2026, which also urges Australians to reconsider the need to travel anywhere else in the kingdom given the heightened threat environment. According to DFAT, Houthi forces in neighbouring Yemen have resumed long-range attacks on Saudi targets, hitting energy infrastructure and attempting to strike Riyadh’s air hub twice in the past fortnight. Although Saudi air-defence systems intercepted most projectiles, falling debris reportedly damaged service roads on the airport perimeter and forced the temporary diversion of several international flights on 10 October. Australian carriers do not fly directly to Riyadh, but many Australian executives and fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) contractors use the hub to reach project sites in the Gulf. The updated advice instructs travellers who decide to proceed—despite the warnings—to confirm flights before leaving accommodation, minimise time spent in terminal buildings, and have contingency plans in case of sudden air-space closures. DFAT also reminds companies that standard corporate travel insurance may be void in locations under a “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” advisory and recommends reviewing duty-of-care arrangements for employees in Saudi Arabia’s central and eastern provinces. For multinational firms managing regional mobility, the key operational impact is likely to be schedule volatility. Travel managers are advised to consider re-routing through Jeddah, Dammam or neighbouring Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha, and to brief travellers on potential security checks when entering industrial zones. Employers must also monitor labour-law requirements, as prolonged airport closures could trigger over-stay penalties for business-visa holders unable to depart on time. While the advisory is focused on security, border formalities remain unchanged: Australians can obtain a Saudi e-visa for business or tourism online. However, DFAT cautions that visa processing and on-arrival clearance may slow if security postures tighten. Companies with critical personnel movements over the next few weeks should secure back-up evacuation options and keep staff contact details current.
Source: DFAT – Smartraveller
