Houthis atttack on Saudi’s Abha airport triggers fresh travel warnings as flights cancelled again

5 min readUpdated: Jul 15, 2026 07:19 PM IST

This image taken from video broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-controlled news channel, shows an explosion at the Sanaa International Airport compound in Yemen on July 13, 2026. (AP)

Canada, the UK and the US have warned travellers about security risks in Saudi Arabia after a Houthi missile and drone attack disrupted operations at Abha International Airport, forcing another day of flight cancellations. At least 11 departures from Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport were cancelled on Wednesday.

The cancelled flights included four services to Riyadh, four to Jeddah, two to Dubai and one to Sharjah. Saudia cancelled six flights, while flyadeal suspended two services to Jeddah. Flydubai cancelled flights FZ815 and FZ811 to Dubai, and Air Arabia cancelled flight G9195 to Sharjah, Gulf News reported.

The latest disruptions followed at least 10 flight cancellations on Tuesday, including services linking Abha with Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh and Jeddah.

Canada updates travel advisory for Abha airport

In response to the deteriorating security situation, Canada updated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia on July 14, urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution across the kingdom. It advised against non-essential travel to Abha International Airport due to the risk of missile and drone attacks.

The Canadian government also advised against all travel within 30 kilometres of the Yemen border and against non-essential travel to areas between 30 and 80 kilometres from the border. It further cautioned against non-essential travel to Al Qatif Governorate in the Eastern Province and areas near government-declared restricted zones close to the Iraqi border, including Hafr Al Batin and Khafji.

The advisory warned that missiles, drones and other projectiles had previously struck targets in Saudi Arabia and said renewed military activity could lead to further travel disruptions and flight cancellations at short notice.

UK retains travel advisory amid regional tensions

The United Kingdom also maintained its travel advisory, warning against all travel within 10 kilometres of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen and against all but essential travel to areas between 10 and 80 kilometres from the border. The advisory, updated on July 13 and still in force on July 15, said the regional security situation remained unpredictable despite a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran and warned that further attacks could occur at short notice.

Story continues below this ad

British authorities noted that the Houthis had publicly threatened Saudi infrastructure and had previously targeted airports and other facilities in the kingdom. Travellers were advised to monitor local and international media, stay away from military and security sites, keep departure plans under review and note that insurance policies may be invalidated if journeys are made against official government advice.

US maintains Level 3 travel advisory

The United States continues to classify Saudi Arabia under a Level 3 travel advisory, urging citizens to reconsider travel, while certain areas remain under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning. Issued on March 13, the advisory cites missile and drone attacks from Iran, threats from the Houthis and the risk of falling debris from intercepted projectiles, Gulf News reported.

US authorities said previous attacks had targeted cities, airports, military bases, energy facilities, infrastructure and diplomatic sites across Saudi Arabia. The Federal Aviation Administration has also issued warnings about risks to civil aviation operating within or near the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia. American travellers were advised to maintain emergency departure plans, monitor local developments and ensure travel documents remain current and accessible.

The advisory also warned that social media activity considered critical or disruptive by Saudi authorities could lead to arrest, imprisonment or travel restrictions.

Story continues below this ad

Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Abha International Airport

The flight disruptions began on Tuesday after Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on Abha International Airport, marking the first major escalation involving the group and Saudi Arabia after several years of relative calm.

The Houthis said the strike was carried out in retaliation for airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, while Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom’s southern region. No casualties were reported.

Following the attack, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting, where UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Khaled Khiari warned against further escalation, according to Gulf News.

“Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another cycle of escalation,” Khiari told the council, as quoted by Gulf News.

Story continues below this ad

Saudi Arabia is among the most popular destinations for Indian workers and pilgrims. The latest advisories could affect travellers heading to the kingdom via Gulf hubs if regional tensions continue.

(This article was curated by Aditi Anand, who is an intern with The Indian Express)

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.

A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.

All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.

Core Team

The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:

Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.

Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.

Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

Canada

Iran War

Saudi Arabia

Travel advisory

united kingdom