Riyadh airport attacks force Delta to delay Saudi service

Delta Air Lines has postponed the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until March 2027. The delay follows a series of deadly attacks on King Khalid International Airport by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

Recent strikes at the airport resulted in significant casualties, including at least 14 deaths and hundreds of injuries. In response to the violence and ongoing military activity, Saudi authorities temporarily suspended operations at the airport, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to U.S. airlines to exercise caution in the region due to safety-of-flight risks and potential navigation interference.

The postponement affects Delta’s planned debut of the first nonstop commercial flight between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia operated by a U.S. carrier. Other regional airlines, including Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and EgyptAir, have also announced flight cancellations or suspensions to and from Riyadh due to the escalating security situation.