Last updated: October 12, 2026. Situations like this change quickly. Always check your airline and official government sources before you travel.
Most of the time, weather, mechanical problems, or crew shortages disrupt flights. But sometimes the cause is much bigger: a conflict, a security threat, or a sudden airspace closure that grounds hundreds of flights at once.
When that happens, the usual advice still matters, but the stakes are higher. Information changes by the hour, airlines may suspend routes for weeks, and travel insurance may not work the way you expect.
This guide explains what to do when a regional crisis disrupts your flights, using the recent events in Saudi Arabia as an example.
What Happened in Riyadh
On October 8, 2026, missile attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement targeted Saudi airports. Saudi authorities reported that three people were killed and dozens injured. Earlier attacks had also hit Abha airport in the country’s southwest.
Air travel was immediately affected. According to flight data reported by Khaleej Times, about 39% of scheduled flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) were canceled or disrupted that day. Several foreign airlines suspended or reduced service to Riyadh, while others delayed flights.
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia urged American citizens to stay vigilant and check flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
If you are traveling to, from, or through the region, here’s how to protect yourself and your trip.
Step 1: When Flights Are Disrupted, Check Official Sources First
During a crisis, rumors spread faster than facts. Rely on official sources:
- Your airline: its app, website, and text alerts are the fastest way to know if your flight is operating.
- The airport: most major airports publish live departure and arrival status online.
- Government travel advisories: for US citizens, the US State Department’s travel advisories.
- Local authorities: in Saudi Arabia, follow alerts from the Civil Defense and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Don’t go to the airport until you’ve confirmed your flight is operating. Airports can become crowded and stressful during large-scale cancellations.
Step 2: Enroll in STEP (US Citizens)
The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is free. Once enrolled, you’ll receive security alerts for your destination, and the nearest US embassy can contact you in an emergency. It takes a few minutes and is worth doing before any international trip.
Travelers from other countries should check whether their own government offers a similar registration service.
Step 3: Know Your Options When Your Flight Is Canceled
If an airline cancels your flight, you’ll usually be offered one of three options:
- Rebooking on a later flight
- Rerouting through a different airport or partner airline
- A refund or travel credit
When the cause is a conflict or security threat, airlines often publish special “travel waivers” that let you change or cancel without fees. Check your airline’s website for these policies, since they’re sometimes easier to use online than at the airport.
About refunds: if your trip begins or ends in the United States, US Department of Transportation refund rules may apply when a flight is canceled, and you decline the alternative. For flights that don’t touch the US, the airline’s own policy and the rules of the country involved apply. Either way, think carefully before accepting a travel credit instead of a refund, especially if you’re not sure when the route will reopen.
For a full step-by-step guide, read what to do when your flight is canceled.
Step 4: Understand What Travel Insurance Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
This is where many travelers get an unpleasant surprise.
- Many policies exclude war, armed conflict, or terrorism. Some cover terrorism only under specific conditions. Read the exclusions section of your policy carefully.
- “Known events” are usually not covered. If you buy a policy after a crisis has already started and been publicly reported, it typically won’t cover losses related to that event.
- Some credit cards include trip protection, but they often have similar exclusions. Call your card issuer to confirm.
If you’re planning a trip to a region with ongoing tensions, check these details before you buy your ticket or policy, not after.
Step 5: If Your Flights Are Disrupted While You’re There
- Stay in touch with your airline and keep your booking reference handy.
- Keep your phone charged and save emergency numbers, including your embassy.
- Follow local authorities’ instructions and official alerts.
- Let family know your plans and update them if things change.
- Be flexible. Flying out through a different city or on a partner airline may be faster than waiting for your original route to reopen.
- Keep receipts for extra hotel nights, meals, and transport. You may be able to claim some costs later, depending on your airline and insurance.
Step 6: Planning Future Trips to a Region With Tensions
- Check travel advisories before booking, not just before departure.
- Choose flexible or refundable fares when possible.
- Book directly with the airline, which usually makes changes easier during large disruptions.
- Book connections on a single ticket so the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination.
- Pack a small disruption kit in your carry-on: medication, chargers, a change of clothes, and copies of important documents. Here’s our list of carry-on essentials.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm your flight with the airline before going to the airport
- Check government travel advisories
- Enroll in STEP (US citizens)
- Look for airline travel waivers
- Prefer a refund over a credit if the route’s future is unclear
- Read your insurance exclusions
- Keep your phone charged and family informed
FAQ
Will my airline refund me if a conflict disrupts my flights?
Usually, if the airline cancels your flight, you can request a refund instead of rebooking. The exact rules depend on the airline and the countries involved. If your trip begins or ends in the US, DOT refund rules may apply.
Does travel insurance cover flight cancellations caused by war or attacks?
Often, no. Many policies exclude war, armed conflict, or terrorism, and most don’t cover events you already knew about when you bought the policy. Always check the exclusions.
Should I cancel my trip?
That depends on official advisories, your airline’s operations, and your personal situation. Follow government guidance and check your airline’s latest updates before deciding.
The Bottom Line
When a crisis disrupts flights, calm, accurate information is your best tool. Check your airline and official advisories before heading to the airport, know your refund options, understand your insurance limits, and stay flexible.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Stay safe.
Sources: Khaleej Times reporting on Riyadh flight disruptions (October 8, 2026); US Mission in Saudi Arabia security alert, as reported by Gulf News (October 8, 2026).