Australian Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia: Article Reports Level 4 "Do Not Travel"; Smartraveller Page Shows "Reconsider Your Need to Travel"

An Oct 20, 2026 article claimed that Australia had raised its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 4, "Do Not Travel," urging citizens to postpone all visits, including religious trips to Makkah and Madinah, because of escalating security risks, missile and drone threats and widespread disruption to international flights. The Australian government's own Smartraveller page, last updated on Oct 9, 2026, shows a different overall level: "Reconsider your need to travel" to Saudi Arabia, with higher levels applying in some areas.

The Smartraveller advice states that military strikes and reprisal attacks have occurred across Saudi Arabia, including in Riyadh. Since July 13, the Houthis, a military group in Yemen, have renewed attacks on the country, launching air strikes against Riyadh and regional airports and targeting energy and civilian infrastructure in the southern provinces, Jeddah and along the Red Sea coast. The page warns that regional military conflict may cause movement restrictions, airspace closures and flight cancellations, and that border crossings and transport routes can change or close without warning.

Attacks have also affected Saudi aviation infrastructure, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, leading to temporary restrictions and flight cancellations. Lufthansa Group carriers extended some Riyadh suspensions into November, and Air France-KLM postponed resuming affected services. Several Indian airlines cancelled services to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, while Malaysia Airlines restarted scheduled flights to Jeddah and Madinah on Oct 18 after a safety review. Travel against a Level 4 advisory may affect insurance.