Delta still plans Atlanta-Riyadh flights on October 23

View from the Wing reports that Delta’s October 23 Atlanta to Riyadh inaugural is not assured after Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport killed three people. The flights remain on the calendar. Corporate security told employees to stay away from Riyadh from October 8 through 12. Airport facilities and a parked Saudia aircraft were struck on October 8. CEO Ed Bastian said safety would govern and that customers would be told shortly.

Lufthansa Group halted Riyadh flying through October 16. Delta’s plan is an Airbus A350-900 running daily from October 23 through 30, then three times a week, with feed over Atlanta and connections on Riyadh Air. Sales have been softer than expected. In July the carrier’s president blamed the Iran conflict for weak demand and said the effect should be temporary. The route is linked to a partnership with state-backed Riyadh Air and may not stand alone economically.

SkyMiles award space and Riyadh Air connections on the new long-haul cannot be treated as certain. Do not build a trip around the October 23 launch until Delta confirms the flights will operate.