Delta delays launch of Saudi Arabia flights amid risk of Houthi attacks on airports

Delta Air Lines will delay until March the launch of nonstop flights between Atlanta and the Saudi capital of Riyadh following several attacks by the Yemeni Houthis on the city’s airport, the company stated. Delta had planned to begin service on October 23 using Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft. The route would have marked the first nonstop commercial service between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia operated by a U.S. airline, CNBC notes.

Thousands of flights to and from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport have been canceled since Thursday, around half of those scheduled, according to Flightradar24 data. Two strikes on Riyadh’s international airport over the weekend killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 300, Bloomberg reports. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was also targeted.

“We remain in close contact with relevant government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, as we monitor the situation,” the airline stated. “Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta, and we are committed to serving the Kingdom for the long-term.”

Delta announced the postponement after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday urged U.S. airlines to exercise caution when flying over Saudi Arabia or near its airspace “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activities.” The warning remains in effect until December 10.

Amid the escalation, Brent and WTI crude futures rose more than 2% in Monday trading to $106.70 and $93.70 per barrel, respectively. Delta Air Lines stock is off 1.6% as of this writing.