Since 16 October 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has advised against all but essential travel to the whole of Saudi Arabia, following Houthi missile and drone attacks that have struck airports in Riyadh and Dammam. The advice does not prohibit travel, but it changes the basis on which UK businesses can send staff to the Kingdom.
This brief sets out what employers need to consider before authorising a trip. It explains why standard corporate travel insurance can leave serious gaps, whether through conditions tied to FCDO advice, war exclusions that may apply to missile and drone strikes, or known-event clauses affecting policies bought after the advice changed. It identifies what specialist cover should include, with particular attention to evacuation benefits and the triggers that determine whether they pay out. It also outlines the employer’s duty of care under English law and what a written record supporting an essential travel decision should contain.
The final sections assess the practical routing options: direct flights from the UK, connections through Doha, Dubai and Manama, overland crossings, and meeting Saudi counterparts outside the Kingdom altogether. The position is current to 23 October 2026.
Read the full article: [Insurance and Routing Options for UK Business Travel to KSA]
