Dear colleagues and students, 

As part of our ongoing safety and preparedness measures, we are asking staff and students to review their business travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. This applies to trips both within and outside the Kingdom. 

If you have business travel planned, please speak with your line manager or PI about your arrangements. If you are traveling on university business now and your return is disrupted, please contact our travel agent, Kanoo, to arrange alternatives. Please contact the following for support: 

International flights to and from Jeddah are currently operating normally. Domestic flights may experience delays, and some flights at other airports in the Kingdom may face longer disruptions. Whether you are traveling for business or personal reasons, please check your flight status with your airline before you leave for the airport and follow their guidance. 

If you have personal travel planned, the decision to travel is yours. If your return from personal travel is disrupted, staff should speak with their manager, and students should share updated travel dates with their GPSA, PI and the Registrar's Office. 

International staff and students should always check the advice of their home embassy before any business or personal travel 

Finally, I want to reassure you that our campus is safe and business continues as usual. Your safety and wellbeing remain our first priority. University leadership is reviewing arrangements continuously, in line with our emergency management procedures. I will update you if anything changes for campus operations or travel. 

Warm regards, 

Samer Samman 
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
KAUST