Independent security briefings, official government warnings, and up-to-date incident reporting for the Red Sea region — covering six sovereign nations across Africa and the Middle East.
In October 2026, Saudi Arabia's major international airports were subjected to a sustained campaign of Houthi missile and drone strikes, causing multiple deaths, mass casualties, widespread flight cancellations, and the destruction of a commercial passenger aircraft on the ground. Any traveller considering a connection through Saudi Arabia should read this section before booking.
Between 6 and 11 October 2026, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh — the primary international gateway to Saudi Arabia and the current transit point for travellers heading to Red Sea coastal developments — was struck five times by Houthi ballistic missiles and drones. A Saudia Airbus A321-200 passenger aircraft was destroyed on the ground. Airport operations were suspended multiple times, causing hundreds of flight cancellations. The scale and frequency of these attacks prompted the UK FCDO to advise against all but essential travel to all of Saudi Arabia.
The Red Sea International Airport — the planned aviation gateway for Saudi Arabia's luxury coastal resort developments in Tabuk Province — is not yet operational. Until it opens, Riyadh and Jeddah remain the primary air entry points to the Saudi Red Sea coast. Both airports have been directly targeted. Travellers should factor this into any assessment of risk for visits to the Saudi Red Sea coastal region.
The following governments have issued formal travel advisories covering the Red Sea region and/or Saudi Arabia. These are official positions from national foreign ministries and consular services, not editorial opinion. Always check the most current advice directly from your government before booking. Note: FCDO stands for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — the British government department responsible for overseas travel advice.
The Red Sea carries approximately 30% of global container traffic and 12% of global trade. In September and October 2026, a fresh wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks on shipping, oil infrastructure and Saudi airports dramatically escalated the regional security situation — with direct consequences for any traveller considering the region.
The Red Sea is a 2,250km body of water bordered by six sovereign nations across Africa and the Middle East. No single commercial entity controls or owns the Red Sea. Travel safety varies enormously by country — some are outstanding holiday destinations, others are active conflict zones. Know the difference.
Flight status across the Red Sea region varies dramatically by country. Egypt and Jordan are flying normally. Saudi Arabia faces major airline suspensions following the Riyadh airport attacks. Sudan and Yemen have no commercial services. See the full picture before you book.
Before booking any travel to any Red Sea destination in the current security environment, work through the following steps. This checklist applies regardless of how a holiday is presented by a travel agent, tour operator or online booking platform.