By Sri Taylor | Updated on Oct 12, 2026 at 03:34 PM
Delta Air Lines Inc. said it plans to delay the launch of its nonstop service between Atlanta and Saudi Arabia until next year due to drone and cruise missile attacks detected by the country on Monday.
The carrier’s nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh is now planned to kick off in March 2027, according to a company statement Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday issued a warning to all US airlines to exercise caution flying to or over parts of Saudi Arabia at all altitudes.
“The safety and security of our customers and employees always come first and continue to guide our operational decisions,” Delta said. “We remain in close contact with relevant government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, as we monitor the situation.”
Read More: Saudi Arabia Fends Off More Attacks After Fatal Weekend Strikes ·
Saudi authorities on Monday extended a suspension of operations at the King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, where two separate attacks over the weekend killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 300, many critically. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was targeted separately.
The events mark the deadliest strikes for Saudi Arabia since the Iran war began and come just a week after Saudi-led forces in Yemen launched a campaign to retake areas held by Iran-backed Houthi militia, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait and “eliminate” the group.