Delta pushes back Atlanta-Riyadh service after Riyadh airport attacks

Oct 12 (Reuters) - Delta ‌Air Lines ​said ​on Monday it would delay the launch of its planned nonstop Atlanta-Riyadh ‌service until March 2027, amid ongoing geopolitical ⁠tensions.

"We remain in close contact with relevant government ‌and aviation partners, including ‌Saudia and Riyadh Air, as we monitor the situation," the carrier said.

The decision follows a ​series of flight cancellations by several airlines serving Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries ⁠after deadly weekend attacks on Riyadh airport by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

Delta ​had announced the Atlanta-Riyadh service last year, months after US President Donald ​Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia.

The ‌service would have been Delta's first direct passenger route to Saudi Arabia ⁠and would have made it the only US carrier offering nonstop flights to the kingdom. United ⁠Airlines and American Airlines, the other major US carriers, ​serve Saudi Arabia through codeshare partnerships.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday also advised US airlines to exercise caution ‌when operating to or over Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport will ‌remain closed until 2100 GMT on October ⁠17, according to ‌a Notice to ​Air Missions issued on Monday.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim ‌Zahid)

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