EASA advises avoiding part of Saudi airspace amid attack risks

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued the advisory on 30 September. It recommends that operators avoid a defined area within the Jeddah flight information region at all altitudes and exercise caution in the rest of the region. The avoidance area is bounded by the region’s boundary and a line connecting six navigation points. The advisory is active until 16 November unless reviewed earlier. [2]

EASA says Houthi missile and drone attacks increased in frequency and geographical reach during September, putting energy, military and aviation-related sites at risk. It warns that attacks and air-defence activity could endanger civilian aircraft through misidentification, overflights or falling debris. EASA also says Saudi Arabia has demonstrated an ability to manage its airspace, although conditions could deteriorate rapidly. [2]

UK government travel advice separately reports Houthi attacks on Saudi cities, airports and energy sites since July. Not every attack on energy infrastructure has been attributed to the Houthis: Saudi Arabia blamed an Iraq-based pro-Iranian group for an attack on its East-West Pipeline, Reuters reported on 15 September. [5] [7]