Delta Air Linesis launching the first-ever direct has initiated direct flights connecting the U.S. And Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city. This significant new route, which was a topic of discussion during the Coins2Day Global Forum held in Riyadh, represents a key advancement in bilateral relations and highlights Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing aspirations to become a prominent international aviation center. Delta CEO Ed Bastian informed Coins2Day editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell that the airline will need to address the inherent challenges faced by Americans.
TL;DR
- Delta Air Lines begins direct flights between the U.S. and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledges American hesitations but highlights Saudi tourism and hospitality.
- Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to boost tourism and attract international business.
- New national airline Riyadh Air partners with Delta and launched its first flight to London.
“Americans aren’t quite sure” about visiting, Bastian said frankly, citing a history of tension between the countries on religious, political, and cultural grounds. But he said that when you come to Saudi Arabia, you see “just an amazing display” of different tourism opportunities and experiences, and stressed that “the people” are truly special, highlighting an “embracing” culture of warm hospitality and authenticity. He added that people have been “amazed” when he tells them that Riyadh is actually one of the favorite places he’s visited in a “very long time,” but he’s willing to be patient.
“It’ll start slow,” Bastian said, noting that it’s the first U.S. Airline to have direct service, “but I believe it’s going to gain popularity.” Underlining Bastian’s remarks is the simple fact that Saudi Arabia has just not been easy to visit, a fact that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has been working to change with his sweeping Vision 2030 plan to shift the country away from oil dependence and toward tourism, investment, and technology.
A developing center in the Middle East
Direct links are increasingly vital for international firms as business travel, especially to Riyadh's expanding financial hub, has seen consistent growth. Separately, the kingdom announced at the Global Forum that it is working hard to attract major multinationals’ regional headquarters. Additionally, a new national airline, Riyadh Air, has been introduced by the kingdom; this airline has a multi-year partnership with Delta, and its CEO, Tony Douglas, appeared on stage with Bastian.
Douglas, the former head of Etihad Airways, was appointed in 2023 to lead the launch of the new airline, and he was celebrating the new Saudi national carrier’s first-ever flight, to London’s Heathrow, just the day before. “I had a great night’s sleep last night,” Douglas told Shontell, adding that the nights leading up to the first flight weren’t quite as easy. “There’s nothing better than seeing our aircraft land at London Heathrow, 10 minutes ahead of schedule to mark that very, very special moment.”
Douglas's 2023 recruitment was a component of a broader initiative to achieve the Vision 2030 objective of drawing 100 million annual visitors by 2030. The airline was projected to contribute $20 billion to Saudi Arabia's non-oil economic expansion and generate more than 200,000 employment opportunities, Bloomberg reported when it was announced. Soccer enthusiasts might recognize the Riyadh Air emblem, as it represents the new shirt sponsor for Spanish club Atlético de Madrid.
Delta is launching a new service linking Atlanta, its primary international hub, directly to King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. Prior to this agreement, no American airline provided direct flights to Saudi Arabia. American and United had offered service to Jeddah and Riyadh in the past via European connections or partnerships, but neither sustained continuous direct flights.
Delta and Riyadh Air had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation between the airlines in July 2024, with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond. “We’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead,” Bastian said at the time. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the PIF [Public Investment Fund] as they transform the transportation economy in the kingdom.”