Saudi Arabia
Risk Level: Three - Caution
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June 2026: The ceasefire has reduced concerns about further missile attacks and sudden airspace closures in the Gulf. Saudi airspace remains open and is currently one of the main routes for traffic avoiding the Middle East conflict zone, with heavy overflight demand through the OEJD/Jeddah FIR.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to conflicts elsewhere in the region, including the possibility of spillover into Saudi airspace. Iranian missiles and drones linked to the current conflict have landed inside Saudi Arabia, and there have been no significant downgrades to recent airspace warnings.
Several states maintain airspace warnings for the OEJD/Jeddah FIR. Some advise their operators not to enter Saudi airspace, while others require enhanced caution and specific risk assessment due to missile, UAV and military activity. Saudi authorities warn that emergency air traffic procedures may be activated at short notice. You can find details of those procedures here.
Major events:
Feb-June 2026: Iranian missiles and drones linked to the Iran conflict landed inside Saudi Arabia. Saudi airspace remained open and became a key part of the main southern bypass route around the conflict zone.
June 2025: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes; EASA warned of spillover risk into Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Nov 2024: Missile intercept observed near Jeddah in close proximity to civil traffic.
2020-2022: Repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting airports in southwest Saudi Arabia.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to conflicts elsewhere in the region, including the possibility of spillover into Saudi airspace. Iranian missiles and drones linked to the current conflict have landed inside Saudi Arabia, and there have been no significant downgrades to recent airspace warnings.
Several states maintain airspace warnings for the OEJD/Jeddah FIR. Some advise their operators not to enter Saudi airspace, while others require enhanced caution and specific risk assessment due to missile, UAV and military activity. Saudi authorities warn that emergency air traffic procedures may be activated at short notice. You can find details of those procedures here.
Major events:
Feb-June 2026: Iranian missiles and drones linked to the Iran conflict landed inside Saudi Arabia. Saudi airspace remained open and became a key part of the main southern bypass route around the conflict zone.
June 2025: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes; EASA warned of spillover risk into Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Nov 2024: Missile intercept observed near Jeddah in close proximity to civil traffic.
2020-2022: Repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting airports in southwest Saudi Arabia.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASA | Information Note | 08 Jul 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | |
| France | Notam LFFF F1454/26 | 01 Jul 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | |
| Italy | Notam LIRR E1444/26 | 08 Jun 2026 | 05 Sep 2026 | |
| France | AIC 011/26 | 29 Sep 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 17/26 | 10 Aug 2023 | Ongoing | |
| USA | FAA Information Note Saudi Arabia/Yemen | 17 Mar 2022 | Ongoing | |
| Saudi Arabia | Notam OEJD W0120/21 | 28 Jan 2021 | Ongoing |
Source: EASA
Reference: Information Note
Issued: 08-Jul-26, valid until: 31 Aug 2026
Plain English: Exercise caution in Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Information Note on the threat and risk situation in the airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf
Airspace affected:
All altitudes/flight levels in the airspace of: Bahrain (Bahrain FIR – OBBB), Israel (Tel Aviv FIR – LLLL), Jordan (Amman FIR – OJAC), Kuwait (Kuwait FIR – OKAC), Oman (Muscat FIR – OOMM), Qatar (Doha FIR – OTDF), United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR – OMAE) and Saudi Arabia (FIR Jeddah - OEJD).
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Airspace affected:
All altitudes/flight levels in the airspace of: Bahrain (Bahrain FIR – OBBB), Israel (Tel Aviv FIR – LLLL), Jordan (Amman FIR – OJAC), Kuwait (Kuwait FIR – OKAC), Oman (Muscat FIR – OOMM), Qatar (Doha FIR – OTDF), United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR – OMAE) and Saudi Arabia (FIR Jeddah - OEJD).
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Source: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F1454/26
Issued: 01-Jul-26, valid until: 26 Aug 2026
Plain English: French operators are advised to exercise great caution and carry out a robust risk assessment before operating in Saudi airspace.
FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN FRANCE ARE REQUESTED TO EXERCISE GREAT CAUTION WHEN OPERATING INTO THE AIRSPACE OF SAUDI ARABIA (FIR JEDDAH (OEJD)). THE AIR OPERATOR MUST CARRY OUT A ROBUST RISK ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE FLIGHT CAN BE CONDUCTED UNDER SATISFACTORY SAFETY AND SECURITY CONDITIONS BEFORE ENTERING THIS AIRSPACE OF SAUDI ARABIA. THIS NOTAM SUPERSEDES THE RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING SAUDI ARABIA AIRSPACE (FIR JEDDAH (OEJD)) ISSUED IN PARAGRAPH 3.13 SAUDI ARABIA OF THE AIC NR 02/26 CURRENTLY IN EFFECT.
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR E1444/26
Issued: 08-Jun-26, valid until: 05 Sep 2026
Plain English: Caution to Italian operators in the OEJD/Jeddah FIR where ATC could apply ESCAT procedures with short notice.
ITALIAN AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY ITALY, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN ITALY WHEN PLANNING FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITHIN JEDDAH FIR (OEJD) ARE RECOMMENDED TO EXERCISE ENHANCED CAUTION AND TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM SAUDI AUTHORITIES PROVIDING AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO RESTRICTIONS OR INTERDICTIONS PUBLISHED WITH VERY SHORT NOTICE AND TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 011/26
Issued: 29-Sep-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should exercise caution in the southwest of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR where ATC could apply ESCAT procedures.
From 29/09/2023 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested :
- to exercise great caution in the southwest of JEDDAH FIR (OEJD) where the airports of Abha (OEAB), Jazan (OEGN), Nejran (OENG), Sharurah (OESH), Wadi Al Dawasir (OEWD), Al Bahah (OEBA) and Bisha (OEBH) are located, in which ESCAT (Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic) may be activated by NOTAM from the Saudi authorities, and
- to monitor the appropriate ATC frequencies and to comply strictly with the instructions given by the Saudi authorities providing air traffic services.
- to exercise great caution in the southwest of JEDDAH FIR (OEJD) where the airports of Abha (OEAB), Jazan (OEGN), Nejran (OENG), Sharurah (OESH), Wadi Al Dawasir (OEWD), Al Bahah (OEBA) and Bisha (OEBH) are located, in which ESCAT (Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic) may be activated by NOTAM from the Saudi authorities, and
- to monitor the appropriate ATC frequencies and to comply strictly with the instructions given by the Saudi authorities providing air traffic services.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 17/26
Issued: 10-Aug-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators advised caution in the OEJD/Jeddah FIR due to potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations; also due to short notice ESCAT rules in airspace next to Yemen.
Level 1 (Information)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SAUDI ARABIA.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment routing decisions within FIR Jeddah (OEJD). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations. ESCAT (Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic) rules may be activated by NOTAM from the Saudi authorities in the southwest area of FIR OEJD.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SAUDI ARABIA.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment routing decisions within FIR Jeddah (OEJD). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations. ESCAT (Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic) rules may be activated by NOTAM from the Saudi authorities in the southwest area of FIR OEJD.
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Information Note Saudi Arabia/Yemen
Issued: 17-Mar-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: There is a potential risk to ops at Saudi airports and for overflights of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR due to Houthi drone and missile attacks from Yemen and the associated defensive operations.
Title: FAA Information Note - Saudi Arabia/Yemen: Houthi UAS Attack in Riyadh.
Click the link for full text.
Click the link for full text.
Source: Saudi Arabia
Reference: Notam OEJD W0120/21
Issued: 28-Jan-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: ESCAT rules may be activated at any time in the south part of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR, when Saudi air defenses are repelling drone and missile attacks from Yemen. Operators will likely be given a change of route directly out of the airspace, or will be directed to land at the nearest airport.
DUE TO CONFLICT IN YEMEN BETWEEN LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUTHI MILITIA SUPPORTED BY IRANIAN REGIME ESCAT IS ACTIVATED IN THE SOUTH PART OF JEDDAH FIR FLYING RULES AND INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE ATS ROUTES ARE DESCRIBED IN AIP SUP 02/2021. PILOTS SHALL KEEP LISTENING TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FREQUENCIES AND SHALL ADHERE STRICTLY TO ATC INSTRUCTIONS WHEN FLYING TO/FROM THE SOUTHERN AIRPORTS DUE TO DEFENSE RESPONSES THAT MAY OCCUR. IN ADDITION, SAUDI ARABIA IS PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO MITIGATE RISK THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM LIMITED LONG-RANGE MISSILES AND UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM CAPABILITIES THAT MAY TARGET AIRPORTS WITHIN JEDDAH FIR. OPERATORS MAY CONSIDER THIS INFORMATION WHEN CONDUCTING RISK ASSESSMENT.
28 JAN 14:00 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 28 JAN 14:01 2021
28 JAN 14:00 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 28 JAN 14:01 2021