Saudi Arabia is facing questions over its decision to stop issuing public warnings of imminent attacks before a series of deadly strikes hit Riyadh's international airport, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 300.

The Saudi government has not explained why public alerts were absent before four attacks on the airport over the past week. The warnings had previously informed residents about security threats linked to the Kingdom's conflict with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

Four Western and Arab officials in the region, along with political analysts, told Reuters that the absence of warnings raised concerns about Saudi Arabia's vulnerability to attacks and its ability to protect residents and visitors. They also suggested the decision reflected an effort to preserve a sense of normality despite the security situation.

Sultan Alamer, a US-based Saudi academic and senior resident fellow at the Middle East Policy Council, said the government appeared to be balancing military action with efforts to reassure the public and international stakeholders.

Saudi Civil Defence, which operates under the Interior Ministry and manages emergency alerts, did not respond to emailed questions about the lack of warnings. The government media office also did not respond to requests for comment.

On Monday, Civil Defence issued its first public threat alerts since September 29, warning of potential dangers in Riyadh and cities in southern Saudi Arabia. Reuters said it could not establish whether the renewed alerts were directly linked to the airport attacks.

Early Warning System Falls Silent

Gulf countries have faced Iranian missile and drone attacks since the US-Iran war began in February, but their approaches to public warnings have differed.

Qatar's Interior Ministry has issued mobile phone alerts before nearly every attack, including incidents in July when residents were instructed to remain indoors and stay away from windows. Bahrain and Kuwait have also repeatedly sounded sirens urging people to seek shelter.

Saudi Arabia introduced a national early warning system in May, distributing threat alerts through mobile phones and social media. However, the system stopped issuing public threat warnings despite a rise in Houthi attacks before last week's airport strikes.

According to posts on the Civil Defence account on X, the last alert before the recent attacks was issued on September 29 for the southern province of Najran.

Authorities continued issuing warnings about dangerous weather, including heavy rain and flooding, during the period without military threat alerts. Civil Defence also reminded residents not to circulate images, rumours or information about missile interceptions and impact locations. The restrictions are covered by government regulations introduced in March.

Reuters could not establish whether anyone had been prosecuted for sharing such information. Saudi authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

Two officials with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that representatives of an allied Western government had asked Saudi authorities why public alerts had stopped before the airport attacks. According to the officials, the response was that the alerts caused disruption and that many residents had complained about being woken during the night.

Saudi officials did not respond to requests for comment on that account.

Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the government was attempting to respond to security threats without causing widespread disruption. However, he argued that the absence of warnings had increased public anxiety rather than reduced it.

Analysts Question Saudi Arabia's Air Defence Capacity

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the government, said the country's vast territory made it difficult to protect every strategic location against aerial attacks.

He pointed to the scale of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure, including airports, pipelines and oil facilities, and said available missile defence systems and interceptors could not provide comprehensive protection across the entire country at once.

Shihabi argued that Saudi Arabia faced a continuing need for additional air defence capabilities.

Despite the attacks, Riyadh hosted an international energy conference on Monday, although several major oil executives withdrew from the event.

Speaking at the World Petroleum Council Energy Congress, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, a brother of the Saudi crown prince, defended the Kingdom's ability to continue its economic plans while acknowledging the ongoing risks.

He thanked international delegates for travelling to Riyadh and said they understood that the country was safe, while also cautioning that the gathering did not mean the danger had passed.

The minister reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to its long-term vision and development objectives.

Western Embassies Issue Internal Security Alerts

Although Saudi Arabia had not issued public military threat alerts during much of the period, Riyadh reportedly came under attack approximately a dozen times, two Western officials told Reuters.

Western embassies in the Kingdom continued sending internal warnings about potential missile and drone threats to their staff, according to three people familiar with the matter and alerts reviewed by Reuters.

One source said the warnings drew on intelligence from the United States and other Western governments, alongside information provided by Saudi authorities.

Embassy staff received internal alerts around the time of two earlier airport strikes, the sources said. However, they said no internal warning had been received before Saturday's attack, the deadliest of the recent incidents. Reuters could not determine why the warning was absent.

Saudi state television released footage of Saturday's strike on Sunday. The images showed passengers waiting inside the airport terminal, with travellers queuing to board a flight and others sitting in chairs while looking at their mobile phones.

The footage then showed a bright orange flash from an explosion, illustrating the attack's impact on a civilian airport environment.

The absence of public warnings before the strikes has intensified questions about Saudi Arabia's approach to communicating security threats, protecting civilians and maintaining public confidence during the continuing conflict.

Source: Reuters News

King Abdulaziz International Airport has continued to set unprecedented records since the beginning of this year, starting 2026 with exceptional performance during January. The total number of passengers reached 5.45 million, achieving a growth rate of 7.3% compared to the same month in 2025.

The airport also recorded a total of 29,200 flights, reflecting an 11% growth compared to the same period last year. The total number of baggage handled amounted to 6.6 million bags, with an 8% increase compared to January of the previous year.

The airport experienced its highest operational week in history, with 1.28 million passengers between January 11 and 17, 2026, highlighting the ongoing operational momentum. Additionally, January 17 marked the airport's highest operational day, with 195,300 passengers and 1,089 flights, demonstrating the efficiency of operational processes and the infrastructure's readiness to meet the growing demand for travel.

These results are part of Jeddah Airports Company’s efforts to enhance the travel experience, meet passenger needs, and provide more travel options, in line with the accelerating growth in air traffic and aligned with the aviation program's objectives.

It is noteworthy that Jeddah Airports Company has been managing and operating King Abdulaziz International Airport since its establishment in 2022, and is working on implementing the aviation program derived from the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, in line with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Singapore was named the world’s second-richest country in 2025 based on gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, though its standing declined once average working hours were factored into the analysis, according to The Economist.

With a GDP per capita of about US$90,700, the city-state trailed only Switzerland, which led the list at roughly US$100,000. Norway followed closely in third at US$86,800. However, when adjusted for hours worked, Norway overtook its rivals to claim the top position globally, while Qatar and Denmark secured second and third places respectively. Singapore fell to eighth place, ranking just behind the Netherlands under the new measure.

Figures from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower indicated that local employees clocked an average of 43.3 working hours per week in 2024. In contrast, data from the International Labour Organisation showed that Norwegian workers averaged just 33.2 hours weekly over the same period — a significant gap that contributed to Norway’s rise in the adjusted rankings.

In a related study conducted by Remote.com, Singapore ranked 25th out of 60 nations in the 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index, earning a score of 57.85 out of 100. New Zealand, Ireland, and Belgium dominated the list with scores of 86.87, 81.17, and 75.91 respectively. Despite its mid-tier ranking overall, Singapore remained Asia’s best-performing country for work-life balance.

Etihad Airways has been named the world’s safest full-service airline for 2026 by AirlineRatings, securing the top position among 320 airlines assessed worldwide for safety, operational performance and product standards. The recognition marks a historic achievement for the region, as Etihad becomes the first Gulf carrier to lead the prestigious global safety rankings.

The UAE’s aviation sector featured prominently in the list, with Dubai-based Emirates ranking fifth among full-service airlines, while flydubai earned a place in the Top 25 within its category. Qatar Airways also appeared in the rankings, reinforcing the Middle East’s growing prominence in global aviation safety and operational excellence.

Published annually, the AirlineRatings safety rankings are regarded as one of the industry’s most authoritative benchmarks. The assessment framework evaluates a wide range of criteria, including incident rates relative to flight volumes, fleet age, records of serious incidents, pilot training standards and compliance with international safety audits.

For the 2026 edition, increased weight was given to turbulence mitigation, the leading cause of in-flight injuries. Airlines’ participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme, along with comprehensive onboard safety audits, played a significant role in determining the results.

Etihad secured the top ranking ahead of major global carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, ANA and British Airways.

According to AirlineRatings, the airline’s first-place position was driven by its young and modern fleet, advanced cockpit safety systems, strong turbulence management protocols, a crash-free operational history and the lowest incident rate per flight among all airlines evaluated. Etihad also undertook an independent onboard safety audit, demonstrating a high level of compliance with cabin safety and turbulence procedures.

In the low-cost category, the Top 25 Safest Airlines for 2026 included Jetstar, Scoot, easyJet, Wizz Air Group, Ryanair, AirAsia and Southwest. To ensure consistency and reliability, AirlineRatings excluded airlines operating fewer than 25 aircraft, focusing the assessment on high-frequency operators.

AirlineRatings chief executive Sharon Petersen highlighted several notable developments in this year’s rankings, including the first-ever inclusion of Spring Airlines China, making it the first Chinese carrier to feature in any AirlineRatings list, and AirBaltic’s significant rise into the top 10.

She also noted that HK Express secured the top low-cost airline safety title for the second consecutive year, supported by a modern fleet, an exceptionally low incident rate and an almost flawless onboard safety audit.

Petersen emphasised that the 2026 results illustrate how closely matched the world’s safest airlines have become. Fewer than four points separated airlines ranked from first to 14th, while just 1.3 points distinguished the top six. She cautioned against interpreting small numerical differences as meaningful safety gaps, stressing that all airlines in the Top 25 represent the highest standards of aviation safety.

While acknowledging that incidents occur across the industry, Petersen underscored that the rate of incidents per flight remains extremely low, reflecting the continued strength and reliability of modern commercial aviation worldwide.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again set a new global benchmark, winning the coveted title of “World’s Leading Airport” at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA). The UAE’s flagship aviation hub triumphed over more than 20 top global competitors — including Singapore’s Changi Airport, London Heathrow, and Doha’s Hamad International — to secure the honor for the sixth consecutive year.

The World Travel Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” recognize outstanding achievements in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Established in 1993, the awards are decided through votes from travel industry professionals and the general public across more than 200 countries.

According to Dubai Airports, DXB served a record-breaking 92.3 million passengers in 2024, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of 89.1 million in 2018. The milestone reaffirms DXB’s position as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, a title it has consistently held since 2014.

By late 2025, officials projected annual traffic to exceed 95 million passengers, reflecting Dubai’s continuing growth as a global aviation and tourism hub.

Serving as the primary base for Emirates Airline and flydubai, DXB connects travelers to over 240 destinations across six continents via nearly 100 international carriers. The airport features an extensive range of world-class facilities — including luxury lounges, a five-star hotel (Dubai International Hotel), zen gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, and cinema halls — designed to enhance passenger comfort and experience.

Commenting on the recognition, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said the award “reflects the commitment of thousands of people who work tirelessly to make DXB the best in the world, driven by innovation, hospitality, and operational efficiency.”

In contrast, Singapore’s Changi Airport, long celebrated for its architectural marvels such as the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, faced increased scrutiny in 2025 following passenger complaints about baggage delays.

The airport operator, Changi Airport Group, later issued a public apology and announced service enhancements to restore its signature efficiency standards.

Dubai’s achievement underscores the Emirate’s strategic investment in aviation infrastructure and its vital role in positioning the UAE as a top global gateway. Industry analysts view DXB’s consistent success as a reflection of Dubai’s broader ambition — to maintain its leadership in global connectivity and tourism excellence.

Etihad Airways has triumphed at the 2025 World Travel Awards, bringing home three prestigious titles: World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class for its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport. These accolades were presented to the airline at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bahrain.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed his pride in the achievements, saying, "Winning three global titles is a testament to the passion and dedication our entire team brings to every journey. These awards reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across all cabins and touchpoints, from the moment our guests arrive at Zayed International Airport to their in-flight journey."

Etihad was nominated in 13 categories, including World’s Leading Airline, World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme (Etihad Guest), and World’s Leading Airline Cabin Crew. The airline’s hub at Zayed International Airport was also nominated for World’s Leading Airport and World’s Leading Airport Customer Experience.

2025 has been a record-breaking year for Etihad, marked by significant growth and innovation. A key milestone was the introduction of the new A321LR aircraft, enhancing the airline’s short- and medium-haul offerings. This aircraft features widebody comfort with two private First Class suites, 14 fully-flat Business Class seats, and 144 spacious Economy seats—all equipped with 4K screens and high-speed Wi-Fi. The A321LR’s addition strengthens Etihad’s premium offering strategy and provides an elevated travel experience on more routes with increased frequency.

Neves emphasized the impact of the A321LR, stating, "With this new aircraft, we offer a world-class experience on more routes, making it easier for guests to discover everything Abu Dhabi has to offer. Every improvement we’ve made reflects our commitment to providing travelers with the highest levels of comfort and care."

Earlier this year, Etihad also received five regional awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2025, including World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience and World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class.

The World Travel Awards are widely regarded as the ultimate recognition of excellence within the travel industry, having been established over 30 years ago to celebrate the best in travel, tourism, and hospitality.