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New Zealand warns travellers away from Riyadh airport

New Zealand has advised against all travel to Riyadh’s King Khalid airport as attacks disrupt Saudi air links. Its updated warning also discourages non-essential journeys elsewhere in the kingdom. Airports in Riyadh and Dammam remain closed, while cancellations and delays in Jeddah are restricting routes for travellers across the region.

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Empty passenger terminal at a Saudi airport

New Zealand tightens its travel warning

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned its citizens against travelling to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. Its country advisory was updated on 12 October as security incidents disrupted airport operations. The warning directs travellers away from the capital’s main airport, which has faced repeated attacks.[1], [2]

New Zealand also advised against all travel to Najran, Jazan and Asir, three Saudi provinces, and against non-essential journeys to the rest of the country. Australia’s airport warning was already in place: its foreign affairs department urged travellers to avoid King Khalid and reconsider journeys through other Saudi airports.[1]

Airport closures restrict regional routes

King Khalid and King Fahd airport in Dammam remained closed. Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz airport also suffered disruption: Flightradar24 counted more than 150 cancelled flights and 374 delays there on Sunday. Aviation consultant Brendan Sobie said the regional impact depended on how long Riyadh’s airport stayed closed and on restrictions after reopening.[1]

More governments advise against journeys

Canada advised against non-essential travel throughout the kingdom. South Korea asked citizens without essential business to leave and prospective visitors to cancel trips. Britain discouraged journeys to Jeddah, Dammam and airports other than Medina except for essential reasons. Saudi aviation authorities said Sunday’s projectile strike on King Khalid killed 1 person and injured 11; no group had claimed that attack.[1]

For more information on this topic, you can read the related columns.

References

  1. News sourceAl JazeeraNew Zealand updates Saudi Arabia travel advice↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceNew Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TradeNew Zealand warns against travel to King Khalid airport↩
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