BackDelta CEO: 'Safety is going to make the call' on launching Saudi Arabia flight

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CNBC US Markets46 minutes agoBusiness1 min readUnited States

Delta CEO: 'Safety is going to make the call' on launching Saudi Arabia flight

CEO Ed Bastian says safety will dictate whether the Atlanta-Riyadh route debuts as scheduled in October.

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Delta Air Lines is reconsidering its planned October flight route between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following recent deadly Houthi rebel attacks at the city's international airport.

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Why It Matters

Delta Air Lines scheduled the first nonstop service between the U.S. and Riyadh to begin on Oct. 23.

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Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said his carrier is weighing whether to go ahead with debuting a flight between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after attacks claimed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated there.

The flights between Riyadh and Delta's biggest hub are scheduled to begin on Oct. 23.

Three people were killed in attacks at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport as Houthis stepped up strikes in the country, Reuters reported.

"Obviously, we were disappointed to see the news this week," Bastian told CNBC in an interview. "Safety is is going to make the call."

He said that the airline will let customers know of its decision soon.

Delta is planning to operate the Atlanta-Riyadh flight daily from Oct. 23 to Oct. 30 before moving to three-times-a-week service. When it announced the route earlier this year, Delta said it would be the first nonstop service between the U.S. and Riyadh operated by a U.S. airline.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Delta will announce its final decision regarding the Riyadh flight soon.
Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

Will Delta officially cancel or postpone the Riyadh route?
How will security measures at King Khalid International Airport change?

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Delta CEO: 'Safety is going to make the call' on launching Saudi Arabia flight

CEO Ed Bastian says safety will dictate whether the Atlanta-Riyadh route debuts as scheduled in October.

Quick Look

Delta Air Lines is reconsidering its planned October flight route between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following recent deadly Houthi rebel attacks at the city's international airport.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Delta Air Lines scheduled the first nonstop service between the U.S. and Riyadh to begin on Oct. 23.

Font size

The flights between Riyadh and Delta's biggest hub are scheduled to begin on Oct. 23.

Three people were killed in attacks at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport as Houthis stepped up strikes in the country, Reuters reported.

"Obviously, we were disappointed to see the news this week," Bastian told CNBC in an interview. "Safety is is going to make the call."

He said that the airline will let customers know of its decision soon.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Delta will announce its final decision regarding the Riyadh flight soon.
Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

Will Delta officially cancel or postpone the Riyadh route?
How will security measures at King Khalid International Airport change?

Delta CEO: 'Safety is going to make the call' on launching Saudi Arabia flight

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Why It Matters

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Delta CEO: 'Safety is going to make the call' on launching Saudi Arabia flight

Quick Look

Why It Matters

What to Watch

Open Questions

Related Topics

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Uber and China’s Pony.ai plan to launch robotaxis in London

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Here's the latest sticker shock: Borrowing for a mortgage -- or a car