Delta Delays Saudi Arabia Launch to 2027 After Houthi Attacks Shut Riyadh Airport

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL)said Monday it will delay the planned launch of its nonstop Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027 amid escalating security concerns in Saudi Arabia.

Delta Delays Riyadh Launch

Delta, in an official statement issued on Monday, said that it will delay the planned launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh “amid evolving developments in the region” and that it was in contact with Saudi Arabian authorities and aviation partners as it monitors the situation.

“Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta, and we are committed to serving the Kingdom for the long-term. We look forward to connecting Saudi Arabia to Delta’s global network in March 2027,” Delta said in the statement.

Saudi Civil Aviation Authority Extends Riyadh Airport Closure

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that it was extending the closure of operations at the Riyadh international airport, saying that the closure was meant to “allow for the completion of procedures to ensure the safety and operational readiness” of the airport.

#Statement | Extending suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/O6Ua5y9un5

— هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) October 12, 2026

According to FlightRadar24, the Saudi Arabian authorities issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), saying that the country was closing operations at the airport through October 17, 2100 UTC. “The closure impacts nearly 700 flights per day,” FlightRadar said in a post on X on Monday.

Earlier today, Saudi Arabia issued a new NOTAM extending the closure of Riyadh Airport through 2100 UTC on 17 October.

The closure impacts nearly 700 flights per day. You can view more on RUH connectivity at https://t.co/anSrUt4rq9 pic.twitter.com/T3Qdham34M

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 12, 2026

Saudi Public Alert Systems Did Not Go Off

Saudi Arabia stopped issuing public warnings about incoming military threats days before the deadly airport attacks, Reuters reported. The attack claimed 13 lives, including a U.S. citizen.

The attacks, which were claimed by the Houthis, also wounded several others. The Reuters report cited Arab and Western officials and analysts, who said that the move could have been a way to project a sense of normalcy, but raised questions about the country’s vulnerability to attacks.

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