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Summary for: Czech ministry advises against Saudi airport transit after Riyadh attacksThe Czech Foreign Ministry is advising against transit through Saudi Arabian airports and recommending travel to the country only when strictly necessary following attacks on Riyadh’s international airport.
Its travel advisory, which remained in force Monday, also warns against travel to areas bordering Yemen. The advice affects passengers changing planes in Saudi Arabia as well as those visiting the country.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Adam Čörgő said that 85 Czech citizens were registered in Saudi Arabia through the ministry’s DROZD travel registration system as of Oct. 12. Another 16 were registered in Yemen. Those figures represent registrations rather than a complete count of Czech citizens in either country.
Riyadh closure disrupts flights
Saudi Arabia extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Monday following weekend strikes by Yemen’s Houthi movement that killed 14 people, ČTK reported, citing Reuters and the Saudi civil aviation authority.
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, 99.7 percent of flights at the airport were canceled Sunday.
The Houthis launched further missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia on Monday, although authorities had not released details of those attacks at the time of the ČTK report.
The Czech ministry warned that significant disruption could continue in the coming days. Airport closures, cancellations, lengthy delays and diverted flights are possible.
Czech citizens registered in DROZD received instructions not to travel to Riyadh airport or its immediate surroundings and to follow directions from local security authorities.
The ministry also urged caution at other international and domestic airports across Saudi Arabia. Passengers should check the security situation and confirm their flight’s status directly with their airline before leaving for an airport.
What travelers already in Saudi Arabia should do
People in the country should monitor local media and official information, exercise heightened caution and follow instructions from Saudi authorities.
If an alarm sounds, the ministry advises seeking appropriate shelter, including protection from missile or drone debris and shattered glass. It also tells travelers not to remain at an incident site or photograph and share footage of attacks, military activity or debris.
For passengers with Saudi connections booked, the immediate practical step is to contact their airline about the itinerary before traveling. A scheduled flight should not be taken as confirmation that airport operations or security conditions will remain unchanged.
Czech citizens needing emergency assistance can contact the Czech Embassy in Riyadh during working hours or the Foreign Ministry’s round-the-clock emergency line at +420 222 420 222.
The ministry recommends that Czech travelers register in DROZD so they can receive relevant alerts. International residents of Czechia traveling on another country’s passport should also consult their own government’s travel advice and consular contacts.
