Saudi Arabia’s startup international carrier Riyadh Air has formed a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines to strengthen connectivity and harness future growth opportunities for both carriers.
The agreement, signed on July 9, 2024, at a ceremony at Delta’s Word Headquarters in Atlanta, will see Delta become Riyadh Air’s partner in North America, offering customers access to hundreds of destinations in the United States.
The partnership will open new destinations for Delta in Saudi Arabia. This will include a new route to King Khalid International Airport (KKIA).
“This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ed Bastian, Delta CEO, commented in a press release. “Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience.”
According to Delta’s official statement, the new deal includes interline and codeshare connectivity, which will allow them to sell seats on each other’s flights, enhanced loyalty programs, and broader aviation services such as maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) services, ground handling, and training.
Riyadh Air is a new airline based in Saudi Arabia, and it is expected to commence commercial operations in 2025.