Delta delays debut of Saudi Arabia service until March after Riyadh airport attacks

AirlinesPublished Mon, Oct 12 202610:12 AM EDTUpdated 13 Min AgoKey PointsDelta Air Lines will delay the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until March.Delta planned to begin the route on Oct. 23, in what would have marked the first nonstop commercial flight between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia operated by a U.S. airline.Riyadh's airport has been hit with deadly attacks claimed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.Delta Air Lines said it will delay the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh until March after several deadly attacks hit the city's airport there.Delta planned to begin the route on Oct. 23, with an Airbus A350-900 widebody plane, in what would have marked the first nonstop commercial flight between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia operated by a U.S. airline.But since Thursday, thousands of flights have been canceled to and from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, according to Flightradar24. The deadly attacks, claimed by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, escalated Saturday, when a projectile struck a passenger terminal at the airport, officials said, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 300.King Khalid International Airport remains closed as of Monday."We remain in close contact with relevant government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, as we monitor the situation," the airline 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 hadn't yet decided whether to postpone the debut. "Obviously, we were disappointed to see the news this week," he said. "Safety is going to make the call."Delta's decision came after the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday told 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 safety-of-flight 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 be 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 U.S. and Australia advised citizens against travel to the region.— CNBC's Michele Luhn contributed to this report. Read more CNBC airline newsWhy airfare could rise even more, but airline profits won’tBudget airline king Bill Franke warms to premium upgradesCompanies spurn airlines’ cheapest business class ticketsUnited’s next decision: What to do with all those Boeing 737 Max 10 seats it ordered years agoRecord heat, crowds drive offseason boom in international travel