Riyadh Airport Fuel Tanks Hit By Missiles 5 Weeks Before Delta Begins Atlanta Nonstop

Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock Published Sep 19, 2026, 4:18 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. Sign in to your Simple Flying account In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an Aramco fuel storage facility has caught fire following escalating drone and missile attacks, which have been claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels. This has triggered overnight air raid sirens across the city and has resulted in widespread flight delays and cancellations at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH). This attack comes just weeks ahead of Delta Air Lines new Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Riyadh nonstop flight, which will mark the only US carrier to fly to the Kingdom. Delta plans to start the first nonstop Riyadh service on October 23, 2026. Aramco Fuel Tanks Hit Near Riyadh Airport Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock Reports have suggested that a massive storage of Aramco fuel has caught fire near the Saudi capital's airport, with firefighters battling the blaze at the burnt-out fuel storage facility. There have been reports that cargo and logistics buildings near the grounds of the airport have also been damaged. The Houthi military announced that the group was responsible for the attack and deployed a wave of ballistic missiles and drones. They claimed that the operation was to target sensitive sites in Riyadh. This resulted in Riyadh's airport cancelling most flights, and the airport experienced widespread delays and cancellations in the hours prior. The Saudi Civil Defense was able to provide the all-clear by Saturday morning. Delta Takes Off For Riyadh In A Month Credit: EdwardRT | Shutterstock The attack comes just weeks before US carrier Delta commences its first nonstop service from its hub at Atlanta to Riyadh. The flights, which are set to begin on October 23, are part of the airline's attempt to establish a stronger presence in the Middle East and tap into the growing tourism and business ties with Saudi Arabia. It remains unclear at this time if the recent attacks will affect Delta's upcoming services to the Kingdom. Delta also has a strategic partnership with the startup carrier Riyadh Air. The agreement, which was signed back in July 2024, will one day see strong collaboration between the two carriers. Riyadh Air received its approval from the US Department Of Transportation (DOT) in June this year, which will clear the path for the airline to begin its own services to the United States in the near future. For SkyTeam partner Delta, the flights from Riyadh will feed into the extensive Atlanta hub, providing passengers traveling on the route access to more than 150 nonstop destinations from Georgia, through a one-stop itinerary at Atlanta. The route is supported by the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, a fund that reduces risk and helps underwrite long-haul services. Daily Flights From October 23 Credit: Fedor Selivanov | Shutterstock Delta's flights to Riyadh will begin daily from October 23, operating nonstop for a week to October 30, before shifting to a thrice-weekly year-round schedule. The flights will be operated by the airline's Airbus A350-900, which is premium-heavy, with a total of 275 seats in the layout below: Delta One Suites 40 suites Delta Premium Select 36 seats Delta Comfort+ 36 seats Delta Main Cabin 159 seats The flights are part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which is a plan to diversify the kingdom's reliance on oil. This ambitious plan sees the country moving towards global business, tech, and tourism, and Delta's position to operate the route will cater to both the corporate and leisure sectors. The latest attacks in Riyadh do threaten to disrupt the upcoming nonstop launch of flights from Atlanta. The airline will likely be undertaking operational safety and risk assessments in the weeks upcoming ot the launch. Ongoing conflict requires strict clearance for the carriers and crew to operate and park the aircraft. The Aramco fuel tanks that were struck ignited a large fire near the airport, with large clouds of black smoke being seen from across the city. Residents reported black smoke and flames near the airport, and this resulted in widespread disruption at the city's airport.