Turn Back: Super Falcons and Al Hilal Star, Asisat Oshoala’s Plane Forced into U-Turn Just Miles From Saudi Border
Nigerian Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala expressed her frustration on after her flight to Saudi Arabia was forced to turn back due to widespread airport closures in the region.
After returning from a vacation in the U.S., the striker was frustrated by the travel ordeal, which was made even more difficult by the fact that she is currently observing Ramadan.
The disruption is part of a massive aviation crisis following military strikes and retaliatory attacks in the Middle East that began in late February 2026.
Oshoala reported that her plane was in the air for three hours and had practically reached Saudi Arabia before being ordered to turn back because the airport was closed.
As of early March 2026, airspaces in several countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and the UAE, have been shut down or severely restricted.
While major hubs like Riyadh (King Khalid) and Jeddah (King Abdulaziz) have attempted to maintain limited operations, many regional and international flights have been cancelled or diverted due to security risks.
On March 2, 2026, a drone strike on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh caused temporary flight diversions and heightened security alerts across the Kingdom.
