Saudi Arabia
Risk Level: Three - Caution
[ about risk levels ]
March 2026: Saudi Arabian airspace remains open, but risk has increased following large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets beginning Feb 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation across the region. Iranian missiles and drones linked to the conflict have landed inside Saudi Arabia this week. The situation remains active and unpredictable, with potential for further spillover.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - March 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity, and associated air defence responses, which could affect civil aircraft at short notice. Risk is elevated over the Gulf coast and eastern province, around major cities, and in the southwest near the Yemen border and southern Red Sea.
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 - March 2026: Iranian missile and drone strikes inside Saudi Arabia following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
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 - March 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity, and associated air defence responses, which could affect civil aircraft at short notice. Risk is elevated over the Gulf coast and eastern province, around major cities, and in the southwest near the Yemen border and southern Red Sea.
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 - March 2026: Iranian missile and drone strikes inside Saudi Arabia following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Notam LFFF F0390/26 | 03 Mar 2026 | 07 Mar 2026 | |
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2890/25 | 16 Dec 2025 | 15 Mar 2026 | |
| EASA | Information Note | 31 Oct 2025 | 31 Jan 2026 | |
| France | AIC 002/26 | 29 Sep 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 21/25 | 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: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F0390/26
Issued: 03-Mar-26, valid until: 07 Mar 2026
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Saudi Arabia, except west of routes M999 and L677 at or above FL320.
F0390/26 NOTAMR F0388/26
Q) LFXX/QXXXX/I /BO /E /000/999/4412N00040E460
A) LFBB LFEE LFFF LFMM LFRR B) 2603031607 C) 2603062359
E) 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 NOT TO PENETRATE INTO THE AIRSPACE OF SAUDI ARABIA (FIR JEDDAH (OEJD) ), EXCEPT FOR ROUTES LOCATED TO WEST OF ROUTES M999 AND L677 ON WHICH A FLIGHT LEVEL ABOVE OR EQUAL TO FL320 IS RESQUESTED TO BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. JEDDAH AIRPORT (OEJN) MAY BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WHEN PLANNING FLIGHTS. 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.
Q) LFXX/QXXXX/I /BO /E /000/999/4412N00040E460
A) LFBB LFEE LFFF LFMM LFRR B) 2603031607 C) 2603062359
E) 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 NOT TO PENETRATE INTO THE AIRSPACE OF SAUDI ARABIA (FIR JEDDAH (OEJD) ), EXCEPT FOR ROUTES LOCATED TO WEST OF ROUTES M999 AND L677 ON WHICH A FLIGHT LEVEL ABOVE OR EQUAL TO FL320 IS RESQUESTED TO BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. JEDDAH AIRPORT (OEJN) MAY BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WHEN PLANNING FLIGHTS. 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 E2890/25
Issued: 16-Dec-25, valid until: 15 Mar 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: EASA
Reference: Information Note
Issued: 31-Oct-25, valid until: 31 Jan 2026
Plain English: Operators should take potential risk into account in the airspace of Southern Red Sea.
Information Note on threat and risk situation in the airspace of Southern Red Sea.
Airspace affected:
Airspace above the Southern Red Sea in FIR Jeddah - OEJD, FIR Asmara - HHAA and FIR Sanaa - OYSC south of latitude N 18°00’00 and airspace above the Bab al-Mandeb Strait FIR Addis Ababa - HAAA, all flight levels.
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Airspace affected:
Airspace above the Southern Red Sea in FIR Jeddah - OEJD, FIR Asmara - HHAA and FIR Sanaa - OYSC south of latitude N 18°00’00 and airspace above the Bab al-Mandeb Strait FIR Addis Ababa - HAAA, all flight levels.
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 002/26
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 21/25
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