Delta-Riyadh Air Delta, Riyadh Air sign agreement to expand connectivity across North America, Saudi Arabia and beyond
Atlanta/IBNS: Delta Air Lines, one of the major airlines of the United States, and Riyadh Air, a planned second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers travelling between North America, Saudi Arabia and destinations beyond.
According to a joint press release from the two airlines, the agreement, signed on Tuesday (July 9) at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Georgia's Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth.
“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,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said.
“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," Bastian added.
"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,” he added.
Commenting on the agreement, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said, “We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines."
"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,” Douglas added.
The agreement envisions a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that includes 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, according to the joint statement.
Both airlines said that in the future, they intend to explore an immunized joint venture to further expand the partnership and allow collaboration on network planning and growth in the region.
As per the joint statement, the strategic partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Delta customers, including future nonstop service on Delta between the United States and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The partnership between these two airlines will also offer Delta’s leading North American network for Riyadh Air customers, offering convenient access to hundreds of destinations in the US and beyond with Delta’s elevated service.
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