Following two consecutive days of Houthi missile and drone attacks on King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Global Affairs Canada updated its Saudi Arabia advisory on 11 October 2026, elevating the airport itself to an "avoid all travel" zone and the entire kingdom to "avoid non-essential travel." The move came hours after Canadian Press and Global News reports confirmed the airport’s temporary closure and significant flight diversions affecting multiple Gulf hubs. The new language highlights the risk of military debris, sudden runway closures and the possibility of additional strikes on aviation infrastructure. Canadian expatriates and visiting executives are advised to shelter in place, verify alternate routing through Jeddah or Dammam, and refrain from posting images of debris or interceptions on social media—an offence that can trigger severe Saudi penalties. The embassy in Riyadh remains open but urges Canadians to have contingency plans that do not rely on government-organised evacuation. Air Canada and other carriers have announced waivers for passengers ticketed to or through RUH through 18 October, while several Canadian engineering and defence firms have triggered remote-work protocols for personnel stationed at Saudi project sites. Risk consultants note that a prolonged closure could ripple through regional supply chains, particularly for oil-services companies that route specialists through Riyadh. Insurers are reassessing war-risk premiums for flights into Saudi airspace, and some global mobility managers are temporarily routing staff via Dubai despite the added cost. The advisory also reiterates existing "avoid all travel" warnings for the Yemen border provinces of Asir, Jazan and Najran. Organisations with essential travel needs must obtain executive-level sign-off and ensure tracking, secure accommodation and 24-hour evacuation support. Canadian entities with Saudi operations are revisiting crisis-communication trees to account for potential internet outages in the event of further attacks.
