Delta Delays Atlanta-Riyadh Launch to March After Deadly Airport Strikes
DAL sits 47% above its 52-week low of $55.03 on light trading volume (0.3× avg).
Summary
Delta is pushing back its planned nonstop Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027 after weekend Houthi strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people and injured more than 320. The attack claimed 13 lives, including a U.S. citizen. Riyadh airport operations were subsequently suspended, with Saudi Arabia extending the closure through Oct. 17 and nearly 550 flights canceled over a 24-hour period, impacting nearly 700 flights per day. Delta cited 'evolving developments in the region' and said it is monitoring conditions with government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, adding that Saudi Arabia remains an important market and it is committed to serving the Kingdom long-term. The FAA has advised U.S. airlines to exercise caution near Saudi Arabia. This follows CEO Ed Bastian's Oct. 9 comment that Delta was weighing the route. The delay removes a near-term revenue opportunity but is modest relative to Delta's $53B market cap; the route would have been the only U.S. nonstop to Riyadh.
Updated with a Benzinga report · What changed
Updates
· Benzinga — Saudi Arabia extended Riyadh airport closure through Oct. 17, impacting nearly 700 flights per day.
- Delta said: "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."
- The attack claimed 13 lives, including a U.S. citizen.
· dpa-AFX — Delta cited 'evolving developments in the region' and said it is monitoring conditions with government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air.
- Launch Delay — Delta postponed its Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027.
- Attack Casualties — Attacks killed at least 13 people and injured more than 320.
- Airport Disruption — Riyadh airport operations were suspended and nearly 550 flights were canceled over a 24-hour period.
All 4 details
- Delta postponed its Atlanta-Riyadh service until March 2027.
- Attacks killed at least 13 people and injured more than 320.
- Riyadh airport operations were subsequently suspended.
- Nearly 550 flights were canceled over a 24-hour period.
At the time of this announcement, DAL was trading at $80.91 on NYSE in the Energy & Transportation sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $53.2B. The 52-week trading range was $55.03 to $95.68. This news item was assessed with negative market sentiment and an importance score of 7 out of 10. Source: Dow Jones Newswires.