FAA warns US airlines over Saudi airspace after Riyadh airport attacks
The FAA issued a notice urging US carriers to take extra care flying to, from, over or near Saudi Arabia after missile strikes on Riyadh's main commercial airport. King Khalid International remains shut, and no US airline currently operates nonstop service there.
The Federal Aviation Administration has told US airlines to take extra care when operating to, from, across or near Saudi Arabia, following a deadly missile attack on Riyadh's principal commercial airport.
In a Notice to Airmen, the agency said threats may put aircraft at risk at any altitude, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight. The notice stays in force until December 10.
The strike on King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people on Saturday and left hundreds injured, according to officials in Saudi Arabia. The projectile hit Terminal 3, the building used by commercial passengers, the officials said. Airport surveillance footage shows part of the ceiling coming down and decorative facades and glass windows breaking.
The airport was hit again on Sunday. One person died and several others were hurt.
Operations at King Khalid International have been suspended, with no restart expected before Monday evening at the earliest. Once flights are able to resume, individual airlines will decide whether to begin serving the airport again.
No US carrier presently flies nonstop to Saudi Arabia. That is set to change on October 23, when Delta Air Lines plans to begin a route between Atlanta and Riyadh.
Sources
- airlinegeeks.comFAA Cautions Airlines After Attacks on Saudi Arabia