Delta will delay the start of its planned service between Atlanta and Riyadh until March 2027, the carrier announced Monday.
Delta had planned to launch the connection on Oct. 23 after months of preparation and heavy marketing. Last week, however, the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement of Yemen intensified, and on Saturday the Houthis bombed King Khalid International Airport, the gateway Delta plans to serve. The strike killed at least 13 people and injured over 300.
“Delta will delay the planned launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid evolving developments in the region,” the airline said in a statement. “The safety and security of our customers and employees always come first and continue to guide our operational decisions. We remain in close contact with relevant government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, as we monitor the situation.”
The Houthis stepped up attacks on Riyadh’s main airport last week in retaliation for Saudi air strikes on their territory in Yemen. Missile barrages struck the airport several times, but Saturday’s assault, which targeted a passenger terminal, was by far the deadliest and costliest.
On Friday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC that the airline was evaluating its options for the Atlanta-Riyadh route in light of the growing violence.
“Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta, and we are committed to serving the Kingdom for the long-term,” the carrier continued. “We look forward to connecting Saudi Arabia to Delta’s global network in March 2027.”
Affected customers can review their options, including a refund, through Delta’s website and mobile app.
Delta officials told media outlets over the summer that they would move forward with service to Riyadh in spite of the U.S.-Iran conflict. At that time, Iran was targeting the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan; Saudi Arabia absorbed some occasional attacks but largely remained outside the fighting.
The connection was supposed to operate daily at first, then switch to three times weekly after Oct. 30.
King Khalid International is closed until Monday evening.