U.S. Embassy Warns of Airport Risks Ahead of WWE Crown Jewel

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia released a security advisory warning Americans to exercise extreme caution at all airports in the country. The alert was issued on October 25, less than two weeks before the scheduled WWE Crown Jewel event in Riyadh on November 7.

The advisory highlighted risks of potential attacks on airports, possible airspace closures, flight cancellations, and other travel disruptions. These concerns stem from ongoing missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis.

U.S. government employees remaining in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport following recent attacks. The notice also updated the status of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which partially reopened with domestic flights and some international services by Saudi carriers resuming.

A limited number of Riyadh-based flights are operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim. Airports in Jeddah and Dammam continue to experience delays and cancellations.

The advisory restated the State Department's ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members, which took effect on October 23. It does not indicate a new evacuation but adds further restrictions and warnings about airport use.

Travel issues have also affected a separate major event in Riyadh, placing a world championship boxing match in doubt. The fighter Lindolfo Delgado, his trainer Robert Garcia, and their team remain in the United States without booked travel for the scheduled October 31 bout.