Delta delays first-ever direct US to Saudi Arabia flights after airport missile strikes

Delta has pushed back the launch of the first-ever direct US-to-Saudi Arabia flight. Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Delta Air Lines planned to launch a route from Atlanta to Riyadh later this month. The Saudi capital's airport has suffered a number of Houthi missile attacks recently. Delta has postponed the new route until next March. Delta Air Lines is delaying the launch of its new route to Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, following recent Houthi missile attacks on the city's airport. The route, which would have started in Atlanta, was scheduled to begin on October 23 with a week of daily service before moving to three times a week. It was set to be the first non-stop flight between the US and Saudi Arabia. "Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta, and we are committed to serving the Kingdom for the long-term," the airline said.