Delta Airlines said it would delay the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and the Saudi capital Riyadh until March after several deadly attacks hit the city’s airport.
Delta planned to begin this route on October 23, with an Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, in what would have marked the first nonstop commercial flight between the United States and Saudi Arabia operated by an American airline.
But since Thursday, thousands of flights have been canceled to and from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, according to Flightradar24. The deadly attacks, claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, intensified Saturday when a projectile struck an airport passenger terminal, officials said, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 300.
King Khalid International Airport remains closed on Monday.
“We remain in close contact with relevant government and airline partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, while monitoring the situation,” Delta said in a statement. “Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta and we are committed to serving the Kingdom for the long term.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian had told CNBC on Thursday that the airline had not yet decided whether to postpone the debut.
“Obviously we were disappointed by the news this week,” he said. “Security will make the decision.”
Delta’s decision came after the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday asked U.S. airlines to exercise caution when flying in or around Saudi Arabia.
The FAA said pilots should “exercise caution” in or around Saudi Arabia “due to flight safety risks associated with ongoing military activities” and navigation systems. In the warning, which is in effect until Dec. 10, the agency said the threats could pose a potential risk “to aircraft at all altitudes.”
Airlines suspended flights to the airport, some for the rest of the week, while countries including the United States and Australia advised their citizens against traveling to the region.
—CNBC Michele Luhn contributed to this report.
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