Delta Air Lines, Riyadh Air sign strategic pact to expand connectivity

Delta Air Lines and Riyadh Air on Tuesday signed a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an aim to introduce a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, Saudi Arabia and beyond. The agreement, signed at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as "the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth", both airlines said in a joint statement.

The partnership envisions a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, including interline and codeshare connectivity as well as a deeper partnership encompassing loyalty, customer experience, digital transformation and broader aviation services such as maintenance, repair and overhaul services, ground handling and training, it said. 

Both airlines are committed to driving the best sustainability practices throughout their operations as they "transform the future of travel".

“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,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

“Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as they transform the transportation economy in the Kingdom," said Bastian. 

The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Delta customers, including a future nonstop service on Delta between the US and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. It will provide leisure travelers with a new region of the world to explore while creating new opportunities for business travelers to Riyadh plus destinations beyond, and will offer Delta’s North American network for Riyadh Air customers, offering convenient access to hundreds of destinations in the US and beyond.

“We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most successful airlines in the world. Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong connectivity,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.

Travel is central to Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic growth plan, with an $800 billion investment in the tourism sector that includes the development of luxury resorts on the Red Sea, the opening of the Diriyah and al-Ula historical site to visitors, and the hosting of the 2030 Riyadh Expo.

“It’s fitting that Riyadh Air will begin its journey the same year that Delta launches our second century of flight... We’ll have many opportunities to learn from each other and become better airlines for our mutual customers, our employees, our investors and our communities as we fly forward together," Bastian added. 

Riyadh Air will begin operations in 2025, the same year in which Delta will mark its 100th anniversary.