Delta Air Lines launches nonstop Riyadh service as Dubai Airport stays open amid US‑Iran tensions

Delta Air Lines announced it will begin a nonstop Atlanta‑Riyadh route on October 23, operating daily at launch and later reducing to three times a week. The service will use Airbus A350‑900 aircraft and is part of Delta’s partnership with Saudi carrier Riyadh Air. Delta President Peter Carter said the new flight “connects our customers to one of the world’s most important and fast‑growing regions.”

At the same time, Dubai International Airport remains fully operational, with all three terminals handling flights from Emirates, flydubai and other carriers. The airport has weathered repeated disruptions caused by the renewed US‑Iran conflict that began on Feb. 28, which led to temporary airspace closures and flight cancellations across the Gulf. Although the situation has been fragile, the airport reports normal operations despite ongoing regional tensions.