U.S. Embassies Issue Security Alerts for 10 Countries—What Travelers About Possible Flight Disruptions

Bailey BergThu, September 24, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC

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A airplane-window view of Doha, Qatar.Credit: hecke71/Adobe Stock

Travelers heading to, or connecting through, the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight changes in the coming weeks as renewed fighting raises the risk of airspace closures and other disruptions.

Over the weekend, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel issued security alerts advising Americans to remain vigilant and monitor airline operations closely.

“Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the alert read. “Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.”

Additionally, the alerts warned Iran-backed Houthi rebels “have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports,” adding “this military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly.”

The warnings followed a new round of fighting between the Gulf country and the Houthi rebels. Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia reported it intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh, while the Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital and the oil-producing city of Yanbu, CBS News reported. Flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) were temporarily disrupted.

What the new alerts mean for travelers

The latest security alerts differ from U.S. Department of State travel advisories for countries in the Middle East. Most of the countries covered by these alerts were already under elevated guidance, but their advisory classifications have not changed as a result.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Israel are currently classified under the department’s “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” warning. Iraq and Lebanon are listed under the highest “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”

The reasons for each classification vary by country. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the department cites the “risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity.” In the UAE, the department points to armed conflict and terrorism. And Qatar’s advisory specifically notes an “ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.”

Travelers should check the guidance for each specific destination. Restrictions and risks can differ considerably from one country to another, and even change depending on which part of the country travelers intend to visit.

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What if you’re connecting through the Middle East?

Airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi are major connection points for travelers flying between the United States and destinations across Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Indian Ocean, and disruptions in regional airspace can ripple through itineraries even when a passenger never leaves the airport.

In July, the State Department issued a Worldwide Caution advising Americans that international travel could be disrupted due to airspace closures and flight cancellations. A month later, the U.S. Dept. of State Consular Affairs warned those planning to travel to the Middle East to “seriously reconsider travel to and through” the region.

However, that does not mean every itinerary through a Gulf hub will be disrupted, and many airports continue to operate as normal. On Wednesday, for example, 20 percent of flights were delayed out of both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH), according to FlightAware. Flight cancellations were nearly non-existent.

But the war has repeatedly reshaped air travel across the region this year. When the war with Iran broke out in February, airports—including in Dubai—temporarily closed and thousands of flights were disrupted, Reuters reported at the time. Airlines have since restored service at different speeds, per the wire service, with some international carriers continuing to adjust their Middle East schedules.

Things can also change with little notice, and a flight that appears on schedule days in advance may still be rerouted, delayed, or canceled if conditions change.

For travelers with upcoming flights, the State Department recommends checking directly with the operating airline to confirm that a flight is still scheduled, contacting the carrier for rebooking information if it is affected, and monitoring embassy security alerts and local authorities for updates.

Americans traveling in the Middle East—or to any international destination—can also enroll in the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP. The service sends security and travel advisory updates, and can also help embassy officials contact travelers or their emergency contacts during a crisis.

The State Department maintains a separate Middle East information page with links to the latest embassy alerts and travel advisories for individual countries. It also lists phone numbers for Americans who need consular assistance while abroad.

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Source: “AOL General News”