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�������� is rapidly advancing its goal to become a global hub for air connectivity and logistics under Vision 2030. The Kingdom surpassed its initial tourism milestone under Vision 2030 and has now raised its target to 150 million visits by 2030. This growth underscores a need for more direct, premium long-haul capacity. Authorities highlight record growth in international arrivals and increased travel spending as momentum drivers. 

Delta Air Lines recently announced a new direct route from Atlanta to Riyadh as part of its entry into the Saudi market. The airline aims to integrate the Kingdom into one of the world’s most extensive networks from the US. 

��������’s aviation strategy aims to reach 330 million passengers, serve more than 250 destinations, and handle 4.5 million tons of air cargo by 2030, reinforcing the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to boost the sector’s contribution to the GDP. An expanding Riyadh hub, bolstered by Delta’s operational scale and reliability, positions the Kingdom as a leading gateway connecting three continents. For Delta, launching service to Riyadh is a significant step toward its ambition to become a leading premium global airline, with a particular focus on connecting the world and bringing travelers to dynamic, rapidly developing destinations rich in culture. 

This development enhances the Riyadh-US corridor by providing greater frequency, connectivity, and a premium travel experience tailored to the region’s rapidly growing demand for both passenger and commercial traffic on both sides of the Atlantic. 

The new non-stop flight, starting in winter 2026, will operate three times weekly on Delta’s Airbus A350-900. It will be one of Delta’s longest at over 7,000 miles and will link US passengers to Riyadh with seamless one-stop access to 150+ destinations. It also offers Saudi travelers a direct gateway to explore the US.

Delta views this expansion not only as a strategic gateway into the Middle East, but also as a marker of the next phase in its global expansion. Last year, Delta laid the groundwork through a strategic partnership with Saudi carrier Riyadh Air, which set the stage for codesharing, loyalty integration, and potential collaboration in maintenance and training. Delta Air Lines will be Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America, and Riyadh Air will be Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh. 

Delta has earned recognition from aviation analytics firm Cirium for operational excellence, finishing 2024 as North America’s most on-time airline and earning the Platinum Award. The carrier operates more than 5,000 daily flights to over 300 destinations worldwide, providing the Kingdom with an established distribution network from the US and beyond.