EASA warns airlines to avoid additional Saudi airspace after Riyadh airport attack

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Friday issued new recommendations urging airlines not to fly in additional parts of Saudi airspace, in light of recent aerial attacks launched by the Houthis.

The recommendation came after an attack on an airport in Riyadh that resulted in deaths, injuries and material damage.

Separately, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said in an official statement that King Khalid International Airport was subjected to "two attacks" on Thursday, saying the first targeted airport facilities while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft.

The authority said the "two attacks" killed three Saudi citizens and injured a number of citizens and residents of various nationalities, with injuries ranging from minor to severe, and that the injured were immediately transported to hospital to receive necessary medical care, in addition to some material damage.

In an updated information bulletin on conflict zones regarding Saudi airspace, initially issued on 30 September, the agency said recent Houthi attacks have demonstrated their capability and intent to strike targets deeper inside Saudi territory, including the capital.

The agency also said that at the time it had recommended against operating flights within Jordanian airspace at all altitudes and flight levels, a change from the earlier recommendation which had merely advised exercising caution.