Most foreign airlines are flying to Saudi Arabia again. Gulf, Turkish, Indian, Egyptian and Southeast Asian carriers are all serving Riyadh and Jeddah, Air France is back on Paris to Riyadh, and Lufthansa returns to Frankfurt to Riyadh on 10 September.
The waiting list is now short, and almost every airline on it has published a date. This page tracks who is flying, who returns when, and who is not coming back, as at 4 September 2026.
Who Is Flying to Saudi Arabia Now
These carriers are operating Saudi routes in September 2026. Confirm your exact flight in the airline app before you travel, because a bookable itinerary can still be retimed.
| Airlines | Saudi cities served |
|---|---|
| Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah from the Gulf hubs |
| Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines | Paris to Riyadh; Frankfurt to Riyadh from 10 September, three times a week; Istanbul to several Saudi cities |
| Air India, IndiGo, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines | Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Riyadh to Manila |
| EgyptAir and Egyptian low-cost carriers | Cairo to Riyadh and Jeddah, one of the busiest corridors in the region |
Saudi Arabia’s own carriers are adding capacity rather than trimming it. Riyadh Air began revenue flying in June 2026 and now serves London, Manchester, Madrid, Dubai, Cairo and Jeddah, while flynas opened Riyadh to Aleppo and 21 weekly flights to Bisha in August.
Who Is Still Suspended, and Until When
This is the whole of the remaining list. Every entry has a date except one.
| Airline | Route | Back on |
|---|---|---|
| Scoot | Jeddah | 12 September 2026 |
| ITA Airways | Riyadh | 15 September 2026 |
| British Airways | Riyadh | 1 October 2026, at one flight a day rather than the usual schedule |
| KLM | Riyadh and Dammam | 25 October 2026, after a suspension running to 24 October |
| Lufthansa Group, including SWISS and Austrian | Dammam | 25 October 2026. Lufthansa’s Riyadh service returns on 10 September. |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong to Riyadh | 26 October 2026 |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore to Riyadh | 1 December 2026, three flights a week. This is a new route rather than a restored one, and the launch has slipped twice. |
| British Airways | Jeddah | Not returning. BA has dropped Jeddah for good. |
Virgin Atlantic’s London to Riyadh route also ended in April 2026 and is not coming back. That was a commercial decision to move the aircraft elsewhere, not a safety suspension.
Why an Airline Can Stay Away When the Airspace Is Open
Saudi airspace is open, and EASA asks operators to account for the remaining risk in their routing rather than to avoid the country. Open airspace does not oblige any airline to fly, so each carrier makes its own safety, insurance and commercial call.
Most of the outstanding return dates fall on 24 or 25 October because the winter schedule season starts on 25 October, and restoring a route at a season change is simpler than adding it mid-season. For airspace and airport status, see our guide to whether Saudi airspace is open.
Booking Around the Gaps
If your usual airline is one of the few still out, there is almost always an alternative on the same day. Saudia and Riyadh Air both fly London to Riyadh nonstop while British Airways is away, and the Gulf carriers and Turkish Airlines cover every major Saudi city from Europe and Asia.
Compare flights to Riyadh and flights to Jeddah on Wego and sort by total duration, not just price. Detours around closed airspace can add hours to a connection that still looks cheap. If your flight is cancelled, your rebooking or refund options depend on the ticket and who sold it, so go back to the airline or the agent first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have foreign airlines returned to Saudi Arabia?
Most have. Gulf, Turkish, Indian, Egyptian and Southeast Asian carriers are flying, Air France is back on Riyadh, and Lufthansa restores Frankfurt to Riyadh on 10 September 2026. A short list of European and Asian airlines is still out, and each has a published return date.
Will British Airways return to Jeddah?
No. British Airways has dropped Jeddah permanently. Its Riyadh service returns on 1 October 2026 at one flight a day. Saudia flies London to Jeddah nonstop in the meantime.
When does Lufthansa fly to Saudi Arabia again?
Frankfurt to Riyadh returns on 10 September 2026 at three flights a week. Dammam stays suspended until 24 October, so the first Lufthansa Group flights there are on the winter schedule from 25 October.
Sources
- The National, which Middle East flights are operating and which remain suspended
- Gulf News, Lufthansa Riyadh services resume 10 September
- British Airways, latest travel news and Middle East refund terms
- EASA, conflict zone Information Notes
- EASA, CZIB-2026-07R2, Airspace of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
- Saudia, travel updates
- Air Arabia, Saudi Arabia route map
- US State Department, Saudi Arabia travel advisory
Last updated 4 September 2026.
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication.
Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions.
Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
